Statement of Congressman Castle Regarding "the Deficit Reduction Act"

Statement of Congressman Castle Regarding "the Deficit Reduction Act"

Washington, D.C. -- Delaware Congressman Mike Castle tonight released the following statement regarding House passage of "The Deficit Reduction Act":

"I voted for this legislation because I am deeply concerned about the record deficit and debt our country faces. When I first ran for Congress, I ran because I wanted to balance the federal budget, just as I did as Governor of Delaware. I believe this legislation takes some necessary steps back in that direction.

"Budget reconciliation is one of the few tools Congress has to drive reform of entitlement programs. The savings targets in the budget are simply a way to stimulate this process - it's the fundamental reforms themselves that really count. Without reform or restraint, our true priorities will suffer: education, veterans' benefits, health care, homeland security and more.

"However, the choices made in this bill are not the choices I would have made and while I supported the measure, it is because I worked hard over the past few weeks to improve this legislation by stripping ANWR drilling provisions, ensuring food stamps and school lunch programs continue, preventing an increase in Medicaid co-pays, and providing fair reimbursements for our pharmacies.

"As this bill goes to Conference, it is clear that the legislation still has major problems and is not perfect, and I will work to ensure the reductions are fair by spreading the pain. "

http://www.house.gov/castle/pr_05_budgetstatement.html