| Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement today regarding President Bush’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2007. The President’s budget significantly reduces funding for Medicaid and Medicare and under-funds critical services to our veterans, while at the same time, maintains the President’s tax cuts that only benefit the top income earners in our country.
“The budget President Bush put forward makes it clear that his priorities are out of touch with average Americans. He would rather maintain his tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent while leaving seniors, veterans and working families behind.
“President Bush has said his budget will rid our nation of debt in five years. Unfortunately, this is simply unrealistic. I am a strong advocate for balancing our budget, and believe there are ways to do it. In fact, in the Florida Senate we passed a balanced budget ever year. But President Bush’s plan for eliminating our debt is based on a misleading assumption that war costs will decrease substantially over the next few years. This is astounding coming from a President who is determined to escalate our involvement in this war over the next few years. President Bush’s budget also assumes Congress and the American people will support his dramatic cuts to senior citizen and education programs while keeping his tax cuts to the wealthiest intact. And I can assure you, Congress and the American people will not support these cuts.
“I am also disappointed that the President’s budget failed to include sufficient funding for projects critical to South Florid, including Everglades restoration and beach renourishment. The Everglades and our beaches are not only treasures important to Floridians, but a national treasure enjoyed by millions of tourists every year. It is time for the federal government to step up to the plate and fulfill its commitment to the everglades and help protect our beaches.
“I clearly disagree with Mr. Bush’s priorities, along with a majority of Congress. As we continue to debate his budget in the weeks and months ahead, I am confident Congress will restore funding to many of the programs that our American families deserve and depend on.” | 
