FY09 Budget Priorities
As your member of Congress, I am dedicated to ensuring your priorities are addressed in the final budget. Over the last seven years, this administration has turned a projected $5.6 trillion surplus into a $2.4 trillion deficit and added $3.5 trillion to the national debt. The administration's proposed budget for the 2009 fiscal year is not only fiscally irresponsible, but it fails to address the daily struggles of most Americans.
The health and prosperity of our nation's economy is one of my top priorities. I believe that we must aggressively invest in our economy and create new jobs for the American people in order to improve our current economic situation. It is also important to establish more green-collar jobs in the market, in order to protect the environment while moving America to the forefront of innovative and sustainable technologies. It is also a priority of mine to limit the impact of growing energy costs and rising food prices by increasing funding for domestic programs such as LIHEAP and the Food Stamp program.
This administration has driven our nation into debt by funding the Department of Defense, but has neglected the concerns of Americans at home. We must support our troops while making sure that all the needs of our citizens at home are being met.
I remain committed to improving our education system with increased funding for programs such as Reading Is Fundamental and increased funding for Pell Grants so that a college education is attainable for all who strive to attain it. Additional funding for educational programs is an essential investment in the lives of children and the future of our communities.