Congressman Jefferson Criticizes Bush Budget Proposal

Congressman Jefferson Criticizes Bush Budget Proposal

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative William J. Jefferson (D-LA) released the following statement criticizing the Bush Administration's fiscal year 2007 budget:

"Our nation has a responsibility to take care of our own - especially after a major natural disaster. America is a ‘can-do' nation and we must prove to our own citizens and to the world that we ‘will-do' for the Gulf Coast what we have done around the world - rebuild. This President promised to rebuild the Coast and fund programs to help those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This budget proves to the American people that it was yet another empty promise backed by painful cuts to protect rebuilding efforts abroad, costly tax cuts and special interests.

"While the President provided an additional $2.9 billion to rebuild Louisiana's levees this year, he fails to show that he understands the need for long-term funding for projects that protect our citizens, our ports, our cities and our Gulf Coast energy supply. This budget proposal slices at the very heart of our fundamental needs by cutting the Army Corps of Engineers' budget by 11.2 percent in 2007.

"It also eliminates programs that Katrina victims now depend on more than ever: the Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides food to low-income elderly; the Preventative Care Block Grant could assist those who no longer have health insurance coverage receive preventative healthcare services; the Community Services Block Grant funds assistance for low-income families, elderly and disabled, all disproportionately affected by Hurricane Katrina and her aftermath.

"Further, the President has suggested that Louisiana depend on Community Development Block Grant funds to solve our housing crisis but wants to cut that critical program by a whopping 30 percent. The deep cuts proposed to Section 202 and Section 811 housing, for low-income elderly and people with disabilities respectively, could also prove devastating for those populations looking to return to New Orleans and use federal housing assistance to do so.

"Cuts to Child Care and Development Block Grants, Social Services Block Grants, Medicaid and Medicare all disproportionately affect those who are now in a much different economic place than they may have been before August 29, 2005. There are many who now find themselves standing in line for food stamps and hoping to get federal housing assistance who worked all their lives to build a house and provide for their families - only to watch it wash away in a flood.

"This budget is disgraceful and unacceptable. The President proposes painful cuts to a wounded nation while protecting healthy insurance subsidies, making permanent costly tax cuts to the nation's wealthiest citizens, and increasing funding to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan - as we face an unprecedented and massive rebuilding effort at home.

"As a member of House Committee on the Budget, I will fight for a budget that reflects the needs of the people of New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. A responsible budget is the first step towards building a future worthy of the trust of the American people, especially at a time when Americans are in such dire need."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/la02_jefferson/BushBudget06.html