Rep. Eshoo Votes to Reduce Deficit, Invest in Health Care Reform, Education, and Energy Independence
"This budget represents a sea change for America," said Rep. Eshoo. "It is the blueprint for a sustained economic recovery for our country's future, making historic investments in health care reform, education, science, and energy independence which will create jobs today and establish the foundation for prosperity for the next generation of Americans. It's a return to fiscal responsibility, cutting the deficit by nearly two-thirds and reducing taxes for middle class families," said Rep. Eshoo. "It also tells the truth about the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."
The budget incorporates President Obama's goals for healthcare reform to lower costs, improve quality, and include coverage for all Americans, as well as fully paying for national coverage and not adding to the national debt.
The budget passed by the House builds on the single largest investment in K-12 education in U.S. history, which was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It increases the maximum Pell Grant award, makes college more affordable and accessible for all Americans, and increases funding for early childhood education and school nutrition programs.
The budget also makes critical investments to address one of the great challenges of the 21st century - climate change - by increasing funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency by 18% for 2010. It bolsters funds and tax incentives already included in the Recovery Act, provides loans for renewable energy power generation, modernizes the electricity grid, and helps state and local governments become more energy efficient.
Finally, the House Budget Resolution for the first time fully accounts for the cost of two ongoing wars and provides for a permanent fix for the Alternative Minimum Tax which impacts more than 100,000 families in the 14th Congressional District.
"This budget is a sound economic plan and it represents the highest American values," said Rep. Eshoo. "It reverses eight years of neglect of our nation's most critical priorities - health care, energy, science, and education - while putting the federal government back on a path of fiscal sanity."
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