Baca Denounces Republican Budget that Undermines America's Priorities

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today released the following statement on the proposed FY 2005 House Republican Budget Resolution on debate on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

"The Republican budget resolution targets our domestic priorities. It cuts funding for education, childcare, veterans' health, transportation, and housing."

"Not only will this budget neglect crucial social programs but it will also dig the United States economy further into the red. The Republican budget resolution makes the deficit $1.6 trillion worst over the next ten years."

"The Republican's tax cuts alone would cost $1.2 trillion over the next ten years. They do this while doing nothing to create good paying jobs here at home, even though 3 million private sector jobs have been lost since the beginning of the Bush Administration."

2005. This Administration has managed to turn a $5.6 trillion surplus into a projected $3 trillion deficit. One doesn't have to be an economist to know that this is not a good thing."

"Where is the money to improve our hometown response capabilities, strengthen our borders, and meet security?
* It under funds homeland security programs by cutting funding by an additional $155 million in 2005 and $857 million over the next five years."

"Where is the money to maintain quality health care for veterans and improve the quality of life for military personnel and their families?

* It fails to provide needed funding for veterans health care. It actually will raise the cost for up to 1 million veterans and it fails to repeal the Disabled Veterans Tax."

"Where is the money to create opportunities for our children and young adults and assist the long-term unemployed?

* The Republican budget represents the smallest increase in education spending in 9 years. It cuts $1.4 billion in critical education. It freezes the Disabilities Education Act and Pell Grants. And drastically cuts the Perkins loans. It will also cut vocation education by 25 percent. It also fails to create jobs and won't end incentives to ship jobs overseas"
"Where is the money to protect public health and provide adequate health care for children and other vulnerable individuals?

* The budget cuts health programs by $358 million in 2005, providing $32 million less in appropriations than the Bush budget does and $11.4 billion less over the next five years.

"The answer is that this money is going to a tax cut for the rich. This Administration and the Republicans in Congress have been exposed. The American people can now see what the Republicans' priorities are."

"I'm sorry but this is not the Democratic vision for America, Democrats do not try to balance the budget on the backs of children, veterans, the elderly or the uninsured!"