WASHINGTON – During the House debate on the FY 2002 Budget, Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin today charged that the "tax cut proposed by President Bush will squeeze out many of the other priorities that Americans care about such as Social Security, Medicare, and paying down the federal debt."

The House of Representatives is debating the Budget Resolution for FY 2002, which begins on October 1, 2001. The budget, which passed the House Budget Committee last week along a party-line vote, forms the framework that will guide decisions on tax cuts and spending. "This debate allows us to see the real problem. The size of the Republican tax cut will deny needed funding for child care, education, and prescription drugs for seniors," said Rep. Cardin.

The Budget proposed by President Bush calls for a tax cut of approximately $2 billion over 10 years; a minimal amount for seniors to purchase prescription medicines; a freeze in heating assistance; and a reduction in funds for conservation, preservation and recreation programs.

Rep. Cardin, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, pointed out that the Republican Budget proposal raids the Medicare Trust Fund to pay for a limited prescription drug benefit. "Such a plan will end up shortening the solvency of Medicare and do little to help seniors," he said.

The Democratic Budget Alternative would almost double the amount of money called for in the Republican plan to help seniors purchase prescription medicines. It also would provide for an additional $4.8 billion in funding for education and related services such has Head Start; school renovation; class size reduction; after-school programs; Pell Grants and Title I aid.

Rep. Cardin stressed that "the Democratic Alternative contains a $900 billion tax cut, which will allow us to continue to pay off the debt, strengthen Social Security and Medicare and make investments in other programs Americans care about such as better schools and prescription medicines for seniors. It gives us a safety zone in case the projected surpluses that President Bush is counting on do not materialize."