Rep. Baca Backs Budget Plan to Strengthen Economy, Meet Inland Priorities

Press Release

Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of a new, fiscally responsible budget plan that will strengthen the economy, make America safer, and invest in the real priorities of the American people. The budget for Fiscal Year 2009 was approved by a vote of 212-207.

"For too long, the Republican Congress and President Bush have run up big deficits while ignoring the priorities of the American people," said Rep. Baca. "I am proud to support a budget that will help get the American economy moving again, and start to bring our nation out of its $9 trillion deficit."

The Democratic budget is a sharp departure from the economically unsound budgets proposed by the President and the previous Republican Congress. The budget approved by the House today is fiscally responsible, resulting in a surplus by 2012 and adhering to strict pay-as-you-go budget principles.

The new Democratic budget makes key investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, which will create hundreds of thousands of green jobs. The budget also makes a new commitment to education, adding $7.1 billion more for education programs than the President's proposed budget. It also lowers taxes for middle class families while working to lower food and energy costs.

Additionally, the budget honors the service of our brave men and women in uniform by providing a $4.9 billion increase over Fiscal Year 2008 for veterans' health care. It also strengthens our national security by increasing funding to protect America from terrorism over the President's proposed levels.

"At a time when our state's budget free-fall is spiraling out of control, Californians need a budget that provides real answers to our communities," added Rep. Baca. "Our balanced budget brings fiscal responsibility back to Washington, gives middle class families the tax breaks they deserve, and helps make our communities safer and stronger."

The Democratic plan also rejects the harmful cuts in the President's budget - including cuts that would devastate Medicare programs, Medicaid-school based programs, and COPS community police service grants. For a detailed summary of the Democratic budget, visit http://budget.house.gov/analyses/09summary_dem_budget_rev.pdf.

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