Congressman Salazar: Budget Process Needs Fundamental Change

Congressman Salazar released the following statement against today’s Budget Reconciliation Bill. Congressman Salazar is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of Members dedicated to restoring fiscal responsibility to Congress.

“Our budget process needs a fundamental change – the budget is a moral document, it speaks to our priorities and values as a nation.

“Let’s be clear what this bill does for America: it pretends to balance the budget by burdening our nation’s seniors who receive help from Medicaid. It abandons rural America by proposing over $1 B in cuts for agriculture programs. At a time when everyone is hurting because of high gas and energy prices, this bill cuts funding for renewable energy programs, making us even more dependent on foreign oil. And at a time when we are at war, some people in Washington are pushing for cuts that hurt our soldiers’ families.

“Yet according to this “plan”, none of the supposed savings will actually go towards balancing the budget in the end.  Every day we go deeper into debt, passing a huge burden onto our children.

“America can do better – we need to return to responsible budget principles that include pay-as-you-go spending. We need a balanced budget amendment. And we need a federal budget that is honest with the American people.”