A Matter of Priorities

Republican Budget for 2006 is Fiscally Irresponsible and Morally Reprehensible

WASHINGTON, D.C.
–  Today, Rep. José E. Serrano (D-NY) rejected the Bush Administration’s proposed 2006 budget as reckless, irresponsible, and morally reprehensible.  “Our greatest responsibility is to leave our children a world that is safer, more prosperous, more secure, and more fair,” said Serrano. “This budget fails that test.  It is fiscally irresponsible.  It is morally reprehensible.  And it demonstrates a failure to lead.  This budget pays for aggressive tax cuts for the wealthy on the backs of ’s working people.”

The Bush Administration’s proposed 2006 budget would add more than $4 trillion to the deficit in the next 10 years.  It fails to include the cost of the war in , increases the cost of health care for veterans, and cuts funding for critical programs that keep cops on the street and ensure our firefighters have essential equipment.  It squanders trillions of dollars on tax breaks for the wealthy and cuts billions in vital education, health care, housing, and environmental programs.   The budget also fails to include any additional details on the Bush Administration’s radical plan to cut Social Security benefits by almost 50 percent for millions of retirees. 

The Republican budget would slash law enforcement grants to states from $2.8 billion to $1.5 billion.  It would cut 48 education programs totaling $4.3 billion, including $2.2 billion for high school programs, mostly state grants for vocational education.  It would cut $440 million in Safe and

Drug-Free

School

grants, $500 million in education technology state grants, $225 million for the Even Start literacy program, $280 million for Upward Bound programs for inner-city youths and a $150 million talent research program.

The budget includes no subsidy for Amtrak and would eliminate $20 million for the next generation of high-speed rail and $250 million for railroad rehabilitation.  Several Energy Department programs would be eliminated, as would $100 million in grants for land and water conservation.  The budget proposal would cut $94 million in grants for the Healthy Communities Access Program and phase out rural health grants, despite the fact that President Bush had touted his commitment to such programs during his reelection campaign.  The president would terminate the Community Food and Nutrition Program, and cut a migrant and seasonal farm worker training program.  He would renew his effort to cut a $143 million program for the removal of severely distressed housing.

“On every issue our nation faces, it is our responsibility to ensure that the policies we pursue are consistent with the values we cherish,” said Rep. Serrano.  “This reprehensible budget clearly shows that Republicans are out of touch with ’s values and the real needs of working people.  To slash vital programs while locking in tax breaks for the wealthy is unconscionable.  This budget increases the deficit while irresponsibly cutting important environmental initiatives, hunger alleviation programs in places such as the
Bronx
, vital housing funds, programs to help inner city youth, the list goes on and on.  It’s one thing to say that we all need to tighten our belts.  But to make ’s working people pay for further tax cuts for the wealthy is reprehensible.”

“This President inherited a $127 billion surplus and managed to turn it into a $412 billion deficit with his reckless tax cuts for the wealthy and his costly war in .  The Republicans have taken fiscal irresponsibility to a whole new level, while showing very little compassion for working Americans.  Over the coming months, Democrats will fight for a budget that reflects the values of ’s working families: national security, prosperity, opportunity, fairness, community, and accountability,” continued Serrano. “A responsible budget is the first step towards building a future worthy of the trust of the American people, the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, and the aspirations of all of ’s children.”

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Congressman José E. Serrano has represented the
Bronx
in Congress since 1990.  He is the only Member of Congress from New York City on the House Appropriations Committee and serves as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments and the Federal Judiciary, as well as the FBI, DEA, SBA, and Census Bureau.  A member of the Democratic Party leadership, he serves as Vice-Chair of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.