PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4241, DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005--Continued -- (House of Representatives - November 17, 2005)
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, before I begin my presentation, I want to just say I cannot believe the comments from the gentleman who just spoke.
Today, the national debt stands at over $8 trillion. That is more than $27,000 for every man, woman, and child in America. This fiscal mess is a direct result of the policies put in place by the leadership of this Congress and the Bush White House.
Our friends on the other side of the aisle want the members of the Blue Dog Coalition to join with them in their latest efforts to run the deficit even higher. Mr. Speaker, that will never happen. It is time for real reform, not more of the same. The Blue Dog Coalition has put forward a comprehensive 12-step program that would dig America out of its fiscal mess.
Remarkably, our Republican colleagues have criticized the Blue Dogs for not supporting their sham reconciliation program, even though several of their original programs are put in the Blue Dog 12-step program. After refusing to reach across party lines to negotiate a real deficit package, the Republicans now accuse the Blue Dogs of partisanship.
Are you all serious? My friends, you have abandoned fiscal responsibility and your way is not working. America has had enough. I have had enough. Each Member of Congress has a certain piece of these cuts that they hate the most, whether it be child support or Medicaid or food stamps. But ladies and gentlemen, for me it is personal. This bill includes several provisions that will reduce foster care assistance and services. This bill cuts foster care-related funding by $600 million a year. Our Federal budget is nearly $1 trillion a year.
Ladies and gentlemen on that side of the aisle, are you serious in telling me that you cannot find any budget cuts that do not affect abandoned children? Are you telling me that you cannot find anyplace to pay for your tax cuts that does not affect abandoned and abused and neglected children?
Ladies and gentlemen, I have two children that I adopted out of foster care. When I told them about these cuts, they told me, ``Daddy, don't let them do it.'' Ladies and gentlemen, they told me, ``Daddy, don't let them do it.''
This is not the right place to cut, ladies and gentlemen. You have not consulted with us. This is not the right package. You need to change the way and the direction that you are going.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
http://thomas.loc.gov