Frank Lautenberg: “the Democratic alternative reflects six key principles in its budget. It protects every penny of the Social Security…”

“the Democratic alternative reflects six key principles in its budget. It protects every penny of the Social Security surplus; it pays down the public debt by 2013; it funds a badly needed prescription drug benefit; it includes targeted tax cuts for working Americans, and it funds important defense and domestic priorities such as education, health, research, and agriculture. Unlike the Republican budget, this plan is based on realistic assumptions about domestic spending. It contains projections for a full 10 years so we know what will happen. In sum, we have a responsible package that focuses on the needs of ordinary Americans today and the needs of our Nation in the future. I urge my colleagues to support this Democratic alternative.”