Earl Blumenauer: “the fiscal 2006 budget resolution is based on false economies and false promises. This budget provides tax cuts for the…”

“the fiscal 2006 budget resolution is based on false economies and false promises. This budget provides tax cuts for the rich while adding to our national deficit, cutting billions from critical programs such as Medicare and shortchanging national priorities such as community development and housing, education, and environmental protection. Cutting vital programs does nothing to solve our problems. Congressional leadership and the administration are simply not owning up to their responsibilities to the American public. I will not support any budget framework that pretends that we have more funding than we do while at the same time cutting programs that help our families and communities. The administration's tax cuts give over $70 million in benefits to those who need them the least. Yet nothing is being done to address the long-term costs of fixing the Alternative Minimum Tax--a tax that continues to force middle-income families to pay higher taxes. This budget will put our country deeper into debt, mortgaging the future for our children and grandchildren. This is wrong. This budget resolution also sets the stage for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which would be a travesty. Not only is this policy incredibly shortsighted in terms of the real energy needs of this country, it is unconscionable that Congress is making a decision of this magnitude in a budget resolution.”