Hoyer Statement on President Obama's Budget Blueprint

Statement

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement after President Obama unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012, which makes investments to create jobs, strengthens economic security for Maryland families, and funds essential priorities throughout Maryland, while also making the tough choices that will begin to put our Nation back on a path to fiscal order:

"Our budget is a reflection of our priorities as a nation, so I was pleased to see that the President's budget makes the tough choices we need to reduce spending and begin to put our Nation's fiscal house in order -- priorities which voters made clear in November," stated Congressman Hoyer. "In fact, the President's budget would reduce our deficit by $1.1 trillion over the next decade. At the same time, however, the budget identifies those investments we need to grow our economy, create jobs, and strengthen the economic security of Maryland families -- investments in out-building, out-innovating, and out-educating competitors around the world."

President Obama's budget includes investments that will benefit Maryland's 5th District and the region:

* $150 million in Federal dedicated funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
* $6.3 million to enable the expansion of the VA's Charlotte Hall Community Based Outpatient Clinic
* $2.9 billion for NASA operations at the Goddard Space Flight Center
* $45.8 million for the Aircraft Prototype Facility Phase 2 at NAS Pax River
* $67.8 million to replace the Goddard Power Plant with a Decentralized Steam System at NSWC Indian Head
* $16.5 million to continue the renovation of the Mathias Laboratory and $900,000 for additional infrastructure improvements at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater
* $67 million for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program
* $9.1 million for new research programs at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC).

"I am concerned that the President's budget does not include funding for some very important national and local priorities, including the FDA consolidation at White Oak," Hoyer continued. "I hope to work with the President and my colleagues to determine the best solution for ensuring that the consolidation remains on track."

President Obama's budget also includes an annual domestic spending freeze over the next five years that reduces the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next ten years. Overall, the budget proposed today would reduce the deficit $1.1 trillion over the next decade. Congressman Hoyer is committed to working with the President and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue to find ways to reduce the deficit and invest in the future of our country.

"Restoring fiscal order and reducing our deficit are primary goals for President Obama and Democrats, but those priorities -- protecting our fiscal future while investing in growth -- stand in strong contrast to the priorities of Republicans," stated Hoyer. "Their spending bill for the rest of this fiscal year would make indiscriminate and short-sighted cuts to the investments our economy needs to stay competitive. I hope to work with Republicans and President Obama to find common ground on reducing our deficit without sacrificing America's future."

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