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Fiscal Responsibility

• Reaches balance in 2012 and remains in balance in 2013 using realistic CBO estimates
• Posts smaller deficits than the President's over the 5 years 2009 to 2013
• Continues House emphasis on fiscal discipline by following pay-as-you-go rule
• Includes program integrity funding to root out wasteful spending

Discretionary Funding

• Increases veterans funding for 2009 by $3.6 billion (8 percent) above current services
• Provides additional resources to address long-standing domestic priorities within a fiscally responsible framework, including increased funding for scientific innovation and energy initiatives, and education, training, and social services
• Does not include proposed Administration cuts, including cuts to environmental protection, first responders, and LIHEAP
• Funds defense, while targeting resources toward our most pressing security needs

Mandatory Programs

• Accommodates the following initiatives:
  • expansion of children's health insurance coverage
  • reforms to improve Medicare for beneficiaries and protect access to care
  • enhancement of benefits for service members, veterans, and their families
  • reforms of the Higher Education Act to make college more affordable and accessible
• Rejects Administration cuts to Medicare and Medicaid
• Includes reconciliation instructions to the Ways and Means Committee

Revenues

• Provides for immediate and long-term AMT fix, consistent with pay-as-you-go
• Provides for additional middle-class tax relief and enhanced economic equity through tax policies, consistent with pay-as-you-go
• Includes reconciliation instructions to the Ways and Means Committee

Scope of the Budget Resolution

• Establishes a framework to guide budgetary decisions for the year
• Leaves specific spending, revenue initiatives, and offset decisions to authorizing and appropriations committees