Final Passage

Conrad Statement Following House's Final Approval of Budget (June 5, 2008)

"With the adoption of our budget today, we have clearly demonstrated Democrats' ability to govern. For the second year in a row with Democrats controlling Congress, we have passed a budget. This stands in stark contrast to previous Congresses. In fact, this is the first time since 2000 that Congress has adopted a budget during an election year. And even more important, this fiscal plan sets the nation back on a path of fiscal responsibility."

Senate Passes FY 2009 Budget Resolution (June 4, 2008)

Washington, DC – The Senate today gave final approval to the fiscal year 2009 budget conference report. The five-year fiscal plan balances the budget; makes needed investments in energy, education, and infrastructure; and cuts taxes on the middle class. Importantly, the plan assumes no tax increase. It was adopted by the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 48-45. With an affirmative House vote expected Thursday, this will mark the first time Congress has adopted a budget during an election year since 2000.

“We have passed a fiscally responsible budget today,” said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND). “This plan provides tax relief for the middle class. It makes critical investments in energy, education, and infrastructure. And it returns the budget to surplus in 2012 and 2013. Passing this budget represents a major accomplishment.”

Read the full press release.

Final Passage Materials (June 4, 2008)

Closing Floor Speech on Senate's Final Approval of Budget & Charts Used (June 4, 2008)
Floor Speech During Debate on Budget Conference Agreement & Charts Used (May 21, 2008)
Opening Floor Speech on Budget Conference Agreement & Charts Used (May 21, 2008)


Conference Agreement

Conference Agreement Reached (May 20, 2008)

Senate and House negotiators have reached agreement on a budget plan for fiscal year 2009. The five-year budget conference agreement charts a new way forward for the country. It makes investments in energy, education, and infrastructure; provides tax relief for the middle class; and returns the budget to surplus in 2012 and 2013. If the plan is adopted, it will mark the first time Congress has passed a budget during an election year since 2000.

Sen. Conrad released a statement after the agreement was annoucned:
“This is a significant achievement,” said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND). “This is a fiscally responsible plan that returns the budget to balance. In addition to providing tax relief for middle class families, our budget makes critical investments in energy, education and infrastructure – investments that will form the building blocks for economic growth. And this budget fully funds our troops and continues our strong support for veterans’ care.”

Read the full press release.

 

Conference Agreement Materials (May 20, 2008)

The Conference Committee for the FY 2009 Budget Resolution met on May 20, 2008 to negotiate an agreement between the House and Senate on the resolution. Below are materials related to the Conference Committee:

Conrad Remarks at Budget Conference Meeting (May 20, 2008)
Floor Speech on Motion to Instruct on Spending
& Charts Used (May 15, 2008)
Floor Speech on Motion to Instruct on AMT and Extenders & Charts Used (May 15, 2008)
Floor Speech on Motion to Instruct on Taxes
& Charts Used (May 15, 2008)

 

Senate Floor Consideration

Senate Passes FY 2009 Budget Resolution (March 14, 2008)

Sen. Conrad released a statement after the Senate passed the FY 2009 Budget Resolution by a vote of 51-44.

This budget takes immediate action to strengthen the economy, create jobs, and make America safer. It responds to the current economic downturn by providing additional stimulus for the economy and tax cuts for middle class families. And it creates the building blocks for future economic growth by making needed investments in energy, education, infrastructure, and health care.


Read the full press release.

Senate Floor Materials (March 10, 2008)

The FY 2009 Budget Resolution was debated on the Senate floor the week of March 10, 2008. Below are materials used by Sen. Conrad during the debate of the resolution:

Opening Floor Speech & Charts Used (March 10, 2008)
Floor Speech & Charts Used (March 11, 2008)
Floor Speech & Charts Used (March 12, 2008)

 

Mark Up

Conrad Statement on Committee Passage (March 6, 2008)

Sen. Conrad released a statement after the Budget Committee passed the FY 2009 budget resolution.

"I am very pleased that my budget resolution has been passed by the Budget Committee and sent to the Senate floor. I look forward to the full Senate taking it up next week.

"This budget will strengthen the economy, create jobs, and make America safer. It will allow for additional stimulus for the economy to respond to the current economic downturn. It provides tax relief for the middle class. It makes needed investments in energy, education, infrastructure, and health care. It supports our troops, cares for our veterans, and protects the homeland.

Read the full press release.

 

Mark Up Materials (March 5, 2008)

The FY 2009 Budget Resolution was marked up on March 5 & 6, 2008. Chairman Kent Conrad presided over the mark up, which began with opening statements from members of the Budget Committee.

Below are transcripts of Chairman Kent Conrad's remarks and charts used during the mark up:

Sen. Conrad's Remarks (March 5)
Charts Used During FY 2009 BR Mark Up

 

Chairman's Mark (March 5, 2008)

The Chairman’s Mark for the Fiscal Year 2009 Senate Budget Resolution is a budget plan that focuses on strengthening the economy, creating jobs, and making America safer. It responds to the current economic slowdown by providing additional stimulus for the economy and tax relief for the struggling middle class. And it creates the building blocks for future economic growth by making needed investments in energy, education, infrastructure, and health care. These investments will:

  • reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy;
  • prepare the nation’s workforce to compete in the global economy;
  • increase productivity by repairing crumbling roads, bridges, transit, and airports; and
  • improve the health care of families and children.
The Chairman’s Mark makes America safer by supporting our troops, our veterans, and our law enforcement officers. And it achieves these goals in a fiscally-responsible way, reaching balance in 2012 and 2013, without raising taxes.