Cord Byrd: “with the release of the President's budget for the fiscal year 2005, and the upcoming markup of the fiscal year 2005…”

“with the release of the President's budget for the fiscal year 2005, and the upcoming markup of the fiscal year 2005 budget resolution, it is now clear the promises made by this administration during the 2000 election have not been kept. Contrary to the promise made 4 years ago to ensure the Social Security benefits promised to our Nation's workers, our retirement and disability system has become more vulnerable. Contrary to the promise made 4 years ago to make health care more affordable, drug prices continue to rise and health insurance remains unobtainable for too many Americans. Contrary to the promise made 4 years ago to protect our Nation's vital industry, this administration's tax and trade policies have been an unmitigated disaster with an alarming number of jobs being lost overseas. Contrary to those assurances that it could be trusted to act as a prudent and responsible manager of our Nation's fiscal policies, the Bush administration has demonstrated neither prudence nor fiscal responsibility. In his February 2001 address to a joint session of Congress, the President promised to pay down $2 trillion in debt during the next 10 years. He said that is "more debt repaid more quickly than has ever been repaid by any nation at any time in history." The President has not kept that promise.”