Darlene Hooley: “Mr. Speaker, this is a time that budgets should reflect our Nation's priorities. This irresponsible budget fails to do…”

“Mr. Speaker, this is a time that budgets should reflect our Nation's priorities. This irresponsible budget fails to do that and certainly fails to reflect the priorities of my district. This budget is opposed by the Farm Bureau and by many veterans groups. Why? Because it cuts money to both farmers and veterans. Why does it make those cuts? In order to give tax cuts to people that make over $300,000 a year. I do not have any problem with people making over $300,000 a year. The problem is, we are running a huge deficit. This is not the time to make those kinds of tax cuts. This budget fails our children. Not only does it pass on an incredible amount of debt to future generations; it fails to invest in our future through education. Why does it do this? To give tax cuts to the wealthiest. This is a bad rule which fails to make in order simple amendments designed to improve it. During committee, I attempted to get more money in for our veterans. This is not the time to cut their health care; this is not the time to cut their compensation. I also went to the Committee on Rules and I said, we need to address a couple of issues in this budget. Actually, we need to address a lot of them, but I addressed one: homeland security. This is not the time to be chintzy about homeland security; this is a time to make sure our communities and our States have the money they need to secure our future.”