February 5, 2007

Ellsworth Statement on President's 2008 Budget

WASHINGTON -- In response to the President's release of his FY 2008 budget, Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Evansville) issued the following statement:

"I support the President's goal of curbing government spending to lower our federal deficit. That's why one of my first votes in Congress was to restore pay-as-you-go budgeting to force us to make the tough choices to balance the nation's budget. In the coming weeks and months, I will be working with other fiscally conservative members to find ways to reduce waste and government spending. I am committed to the pay-as-you-go principle and transparency in our budget process so tax payers can be sure their money is being spent wisely.      
 
"The President has asked Congress for nearly $250 billion in additional funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Let me be clear, I support funding for the equipment and resources our troops on the ground need to complete their missions safely. However, the funding for this war should not be exempt from scrutiny.

"I commend the President for taking an important first step by including his request in the regular appropriations process and not through ‘emergency' supplementals that hide the true budget implications from tax payers.    

"The American people deserve to know exactly how their tax dollars are being spent. We must ensure funding is directed at reaching a successful conclusion to this war; not lost through the waste, fraud and abuse that has become so common."

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