Hilda L. Solis: “today I rise because I believe working-class Americans deserve a Federal budget which is compassionate, decent, and…”

“today I rise because I believe working-class Americans deserve a Federal budget which is compassionate, decent, and provides hope to the American public. President Bush's budget for fiscal year 2007 fails on all counts and provides insufficient funding for one of our Nation's greatest investments: its health. Despite the confusing and poorly implemented new Medicare prescription drug benefit program, President Bush's budget cuts Medicare by $35 billion in the next 5 years, it cuts funding for public health programs by $126 million, and puts more families at risk of food and security by cutting more than $706 million in assistance. Even with the growing problem of health care disparities and lack of insurance for communities of color, the budget slashes the Office of Minority Health Programs by 20 percent. To our children, to those battling high health care costs, and to the uninsured, this budget, in my opinion, is not compassionate and it doesn't provide the American public with hope. Americans deserve better. We must not inflict this pain on the most vulnerable populations in our country. ____________________”