Gwen Moore: “if a Nation is judged by how it treats its weak, its vulnerable, and its children, then American families can be proud…”

“if a Nation is judged by how it treats its weak, its vulnerable, and its children, then American families can be proud of the fiscal year 2008 Democratic budget. For the past 6 years, this administration and its allies in Congress have pit ordinary people and their struggles against the interests of the wealthiest in our society. The Democratic budget represents a dramatic change of course, putting children and families first by investing in health care and education, accommodating tax relief to middle-class families, and providing assistance for hurricane-ravaged communities and supporting the poorest of the poor, those who have no tax liability. We budget for expansion of the State children's health insurance program. We often hear folks say that education is the key, but, of course, money is what unlocks the door. The chairman's mark increases funding for education and social services, job training by almost $8 billion over the 2008 program level in the President's budget for vital services such as Head Start, IDEA, and programs under No Child Left Behind. We reject the President's cuts to critical social services programs by helping struggling families make ends meet, and in doing so, we recognize that the number of Americans living in poverty has increased by 5.4 million since 2000. We provide the resources to help support energy assistance, food stamps, and child care for low-income families.”