"I always try to remember that every dollar spent by the federal government is taken out of the pocketbook of an American who worked hard to earn it - a taxpayer who may also be trying to raise a family, pay for health care, or build a business," said Thornberry.

The budget supported by Thornberry included an extension of current tax protections for many middle income Americans. "I am concerned that a tax increase would stunt the economic growth we have experienced over the past six years. The alternative budget I supported would save the average Texas taxpayer over $2,750.00," noted Congressman Thornberry.

Additionally, the alternative budget set a goal of increasing funding for the care of our veterans by $7 billion and increasing funding for our troops by $50 billion. The measure Thornberry supported also recommended reducing the deficit to balance the budget by 2012, while keeping important programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security working for those who need it.

"The budget which passed assumes some $900 billion in tax increases over the next five years and makes certain assumptions which cannot take effect unless follow-up legislation is passed and signed into law. Unfortunately, the budget I supported did not attract enough votes to prevail, but I will keep working to end the death tax, encourage economic growth and make real improvements in the way the federal government spends taxpayer dollars," concluded Thornberry.

Background: The Budget Resolution supported by Congressman Thornberry failed on a vote of 160 in favor to 260 against (Ryan Substitute Amendment, Roll Call 211). The final vote on adoption of the Budget was 216 in favor to 210 against (House Concurrent Resolution 99, Roll Call 212). For more information on the votes on the 2008 House Budget Resolution go to http://thomas.loc.gov/home/rollcallvotes.html

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