Budget and Taxes

Article 1, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution states “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.”  Congressman Dingell knows shaping of the federal budget is one of the House’s most important duties.  When Democrats regained the House majority in 2006, Congressman Dingell emphasized domestic programs that American families rely on the most - such as job training programs, health care services for children and veterans’, education programs like Head Start, energy assistance for low-income households - a priority after years of neglect.

President Obama released his fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget on February 1, 2010.  Some of the highlights include:

  • Deficit reduction by $1.2 trillion over 10 years, and tax cuts totalling more than $300 billion over the next 10 years for individuals, families and small businesses;
  • Job creation, by investing $100 billion in small business tax cuts, infrastructure and clean energy, all which will promote local job creation;
  • Preparation for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by providing $1 billion in additional funding for changes in the law, as well as $28 billion (a $3 billion increase) to fund existing ESEA programs;
  • Continued investment in higher education by providing a $17 billion increase in Pell Grant funding, ensuring families in need will be able to afford their tuition bills;
  • Support for our men and women abroad by investing $33 billion in 2010 and $159.3 billion in 2011 for overseas operations, including our efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan;
  • Travel safety and protection, by providing $734 million to deploy 1,000 new Advanced Imaging Technology screening machines at airport checkpoints, as well as new explosive detection equipment to screen baggage;
  • A record 20 percent increase from 2009 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including $50.6 billion for the VA medical care program, to ensure the men and women who have served our country receive the care they deserve; and,
  • A three-year freeze on non-security discretionary spending, saving $250 billion over 10 years.

Further information regarding President Obama’s proposed 2011 Budget can be found here.

Related Legislation

H.R. 235 – Social Security Fairness Act of 2009

Additional Resources

House Committee on the Budget

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

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