Rick Allen: “I rise in support of the 2009 budget resolution before us today. I want to thank Chairman Spratt and my other colleagues…”

“I rise in support of the 2009 budget resolution before us today. I want to thank Chairman Spratt and my other colleagues on the Budget Committee for their hard work in bringing to the House a bill that represents the priorities of this Congress. This budget places families and communities first. It increases funding for our veterans so they receive the health care and benefits they have earned and deserve. It increases funding for homeland security officers, including funding for firefighters and police officers, who keep our communities safe. It protects Medicare and Medicaid and includes a plan to increase the State Children's Health Insurance Program to keep our communities healthy. It protects funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and funds important efforts to promote renewable energy initiatives and protect our environment. This budget stands in sharp contrast to the President's proposals, which included cuts to these vital domestic programs that invest in our children, our communities, and our economy. In order to strengthen our economy and our country, we must invest in those who drive it: the middle class. That is why this budget also includes a plan which I strongly support that will extend and expand middle class tax cuts, including the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, and the 10 percent bracket. This is a budget that will strengthen our middle class, our communities, and our economy and make our country safer.”