Congressman Blumenauer Hails Fiscally Responsible 2008 Budget

Press Release

CONGRESSMAN BLUMENAUER HAILS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE 2008 BUDGET

Early this morning, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore), a member of the Budget Committee, helped protect a number of programs benefiting Oregonians and Americans in the FY 2008 Federal Budget Resolution that was marked up in Committee and passed by a vote of 22-17. The budget is expected to be voted on by the full House of Representatives next week.

"This is the most fiscally responsible budget the Congress has put forth in many years," said Congressman Blumenauer. "It commits to tax reform and equity, and moves us away from the borrow and spend habits of previous Congresses. Most importantly, the 2008 budget prioritizes the right things: it provides services and tax relief for those who need it most by reforming the AMT, and it proves tax relief for working families. For Oregonians, we now have an opportunity to extend funding for the county payments program. And after so many years of undercutting the environment, I am proud to announce a new start to funding our nation's vital environmental resources."

Overall, the Committee-passed budget enforces fiscal discipline and transparency in Congressional spending by requiring pay-as-you-go spending to balance the budget by 2012. It includes funding for critical national programs like children's health care and education, and it also takes steps towards Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) reform to promote middle-income tax relief. Finally, the budget invests in renewable energy and energy efficiency to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, reduce global warming, and promote new technologies.

In addition to serving on the Budget Committee, Congressman Blumenauer also serves on the Committee on Ways and Means and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

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