Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) voted for H. Con. Res. 99, the Budget Resolution for FY 2008, a fiscally responsible budget with the right priorities for Iowa’s families. After years of unbalanced budgets and misplaced priorities, Congressman Loebsack and his Congressional colleagues voted to restore fiscal responsibility and accountability to Washington; strengthen our domestic programs; and invest in the next generation and America’s prosperity.

“After years of rising deficits and national debt, this budget finally puts us on the right course,” said Congressman Loebsack. “By instituting pay-as-you-go budgeting, launching initiatives to root out wasteful spending, and making key investments in America’s top priorities, this budget is a step in the right direction for all of America’s families.”

The Budget Resolution for FY 2008 is a balanced budget with balanced priorities for Iowa’s families:

· The budget provides for the largest veterans’ budget increase in American history – $3.5 billion more in FY 2008 ($32 billion over the next five years) for veterans’ health care than the President’s budget. These improvements are needed to ensure that the 265,960 veterans in Iowa receive care worthy of their service and sacrifice. It is also critical for the 13,343 brave Iowans who have served their country in Afghanistan and Iraq since September 2001, many of whom will need VA health care services.

· The budget supports middle-class tax cuts and protects middle-income families from a tax increase by setting up a reserve fund as a long-term fix for the alternative minimum tax (AMT).

· In Iowa, 44,220 of children do not have health insurance. The House budget helps these children by increasing funding for State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) – reducing the number of uninsured kids across America by millions.

· The budget also rejects the Administration’s proposal to cut Medicare funding by $166,125,603 for Iowa hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health care providers because it would make health care less accessible and less affordable for many Iowans.

· The budget will increase resources for No Child Left Behind, special education and Head Start – rejecting harsh cuts and under funding for these critical education programs included in the President’s budget.

· The budget invests in renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce global warming, and promote new technologies that can create more jobs for Iowa.

###