“I am Congressman Brian Baird from Washington state.

“I want to talk to you today about President Bush’s budget. Frankly, the President has sent a budget to Congress that is fraudulent and irresponsible. The President wants to cut funding for homeland security, veterans benefits, health care, and education.  Democrats will fight for a budget that is honest and that reflects the values of America’s middle class: national security, prosperity, opportunity, fairness, community, and accountability.  Unfortunately, President Bush’s budget fails in every respect. 

“Why do I say that the President’s budget is a fraud? We know that the cost of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will cost billions this year, but those costs are not accounted for in this budget. Also, the President's proposal to privatize Social Security will cost trillions in coming decades, but it is not accounted for here.

“This fiscally irresponsible budget squanders nearly $2 trillion over the nest decade on additional tax cuts for the wealthy, but does very little on job creation for the more than one million Hispanic workers still looking for a job. The Bush budget also cuts funding for the Small Business Administration, which helps minority owned small businesses grow.

“The Bush budget guts the Head Start and Even Start program that thousands of Hispanic children depend on.  It eliminates the Even Start program, which integrates education programs for children, for their parents, and helps the entire family.  Currently, 23,000 Hispanic families are in the Even Start program.  And, there are more than 300,000 Hispanic children in Head Start, including thousands of children of migrant workers, but the Bush budget eliminates these comprehensive educational, health, and nutrition services. 

“There is a whole new generation of veterans as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there are 1.1 million Hispanic veterans, but President Bush’s budget makes them pay more for the health care and prescription drug benefits that they have earned through their service. 

“One of out of every three Hispanic Americans is without health insurance and three million more are underinsured, yet the Bush budget does not improve health care. The Bush budget cuts $60 billion from Medicaid -- decimating health care funding for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

“President Bush’s budget is a step in the wrong direction.  Democrats believe that the country needs an honest and responsible budget and we will fight for this, and protect the values that are most important for your community.

“I am Congressman Brian Baird from Washington State. Thank you for listening.”