Alan Lowenthal: “I want to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for his work on the Congressional Progressive Caucus budget, the CPC…”

“I want to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for his work on the Congressional Progressive Caucus budget, the CPC budget, and for just being an all-around good guy. {time} 1900 The nondefense discretionary side of the budget has taken a beating in recent years with extreme cuts to its programs. The Ryan budget continues this damage with even deeper cuts to discretionary programs. Now, what do I mean by discretionary programs? We are talking about education, public safety, clean drinking water, food safety, roads, bridges--our transportation system--air traffic controllers, medical research to find cures for diseases, among others. The question I ask is: What is discretionary about any of these basic needs? What is discretionary about making sure that children can read or about making sure that drinking water is safe or that bridges don't collapse? There is nothing discretionary about these programs. I think part of the problem is simply the word ``discretionary.'' We need to stop calling this discretionary, and we need to start calling this beleaguered side of the budget what it is, essential. These are the essential non-defense programs. My dear friend, the main difference between the Ryan budget proposal and the CPC budget proposal is that Mr. Ryan believes that the government funding of these essential programs is a drain on the economy and a drain on taxpayers.…”