For Immediate Release: March 13, 2008

Sutton Supports Responsible Budget, Invests in America's Priorities

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed the budget for Fiscal Year 2009.  The legislation passed by a vote of 212-207.  Congresswoman Betty Sutton released the following statement: 

"The budget is a moral document.  It is a statement of the values of our nation.  It is the clearest way to see where a government's true priorities lie. 

That's why I am proud that we have today passed a fiscally responsible budget that invests in the priorities of working Ohioans.  We have passed a budget that provides funding for important programs such as Community Development Block Grants and for our local law enforcement and fire departments.  And very importantly, we invest in the infrastructure of our communities and our nation, which is an extremely important long-term funding priority that we must make.  It is a budget that rejects President Bush's proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid while providing health insurance for more children, making college more affordable and accessible, and enhancing benefits for service members, veterans and their families.

I was very concerned about the message that the President's Budget sent to the American people.  It does not invest in the most important long-term priorities of our country - it instead places a premium on the short-term interests of a few.  At a time when working families are facing skyrocketing energy, health care, and education costs, the President's Budget would cut critical programs that can help Americans through these tough economic times.

Today we passed a budget that focuses on the needs of the people I am so proud to represent - the working families of Ohio's 13th Congressional District."

Contact: Shannon O'Brien at 202-225-3401