For Immediate Release: March 29, 2007

Sutton Backs Passage of 2008 Budget that Invests in Middle Class Families

Budget restores fiscal responsibility, funds important priorities, and contains no tax increases

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congresswoman Betty Sutton, a member of the Budget Committee, today played a key role in setting national spending priorities and helping pass the 2008 Budget, H. Con. Res. 99. Sutton was selected to lead the floor debate on the rule to ensure passage of first budget in two years. The budget contains no tax increases and restores fiscal discipline to the Budget. Sutton's Resolution passed by 229-197 and the 2008 Budget passed by a vote of 216-210.

Sutton took to the floor to voice her support of the budget stating, "Budgets, more than anything else this government produces, are a statement of what matters to us and what does not-they are moral documents." Sutton continued, "This budget makes critical investments in education, health care, our children, our veterans, our communities, and our economy, while at the same time adhering to pay as you go principles and returning our budget to balance by 2012."

Republicans failure to pass a budget and their fiscally irresponsible spending has taken a $5.6 trillion budget surplus and turned it into a $3 trillion dollar deficit. The Democratic budget for FY2008 that passed today lays forth responsible spending priorities that are in line with the needs of the American people and funds them in a fiscally responsible way.

The budget makes education a priority, from early childhood to life long learning as it increases funding for education, employment training, and social services by $3 billion to expand early childhood, hire more math and science teachers, and increase Pell grants. These are essential investments that will lay a solid foundation for a growing economy and improve competitiveness.

The budget expands access and affordability to healthcare by ensuring the 1.7 million Ohio seniors who depend on Medicare and the 1.6 million Ohioans who depend on Medicaid as their primary source of health care continue to receive the same level of benefits. The Administration proposed slashing these programs by $300 billion.

Democrats also provide for an additional $50 billion dollars to ensure that the 242,000 uninsured children in Ohio and millions more across our nation can have health insurance through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

The Democratic budget reflects a major shift in priorities by providing a $5.4 billion increase in the Veterans Affairs budget, which is an 18.1 percent increase over 2007 levels and the largest increase in history.

The budget invests in local communities by increasing funding for the several block grant programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This program aims to revitalize neighborhoods and our local economies by providing affordable housing and social services, which has helped over 100,000 people in 13th District communities.

Lastly, the Democratic budget places a high priority on middle-class tax relief and economic equity through maintaining the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, 10 percent individual income tax bracket, and deduction for State and local sales taxes. This budget also aims to provide a permanent fix for the AMT which would provide relief to millions of Americans who currently are hit by the antiquated tax provision.

Contact: Linden Zakula at 202-225-3401