Bush’s final budget reflects misplaced priorities
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, released the following statement in response to the Bush Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2009 budget:
“At a time when El Paso seniors and working families are challenged to pay for health care and heating, what does that Bush Administration propose for their fiscal year 2009 budget? Major cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and billions in new fees for our veterans. My colleagues and I in Congress will fight these misplaced priorities and enact a budget that will move our country in a new direction and reflect the real needs of El Paso and the nation.”
The Bush Administration’s proposes cuts to the following critical services and investments:
– Medicare cuts of $556 billion over ten years.
– $47 billion in net legislated Medicaid cuts over ten years;
– Centers for Disease Control cuts by $443 million for 2009;
– the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) cut by $570 million for 2009 despite the fact that home heating costs are soaring and the program is only able to serve 16 percent of eligible families at its current funding level;
– Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) eliminated for 2009;
– the Environmental Protection Agency cut by $330 million for 2009;
– $5.2 billion in new fees on veterans over the next ten years.
Border security programs
“This budget request funds necessary Border Patrol agents, but reflects a lack of understanding of our ports of entry,” said Congressman Reyes. “The Bush Administration stresses securing our borders, yet requests resources that are insufficient to provide additional security, new inspection facilities, and replacement of aging infrastructure. As we have seen in El Paso, it is critical that our ports of entry are modernized. Further, they propose policies that will hurt the morale of those we have entrusted to monitor those crossing into our country, our Customs and Border Protection Officers.”
– $442 million for 2,200 more Border Patrol agents.
– Funding for only 539 new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers in CBP’s Radiation Portal Monitor, Passenger Screening, and Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative programs.
– Requests a rescission for a retirement benefit CBP Officers provided by Congress in the recently enacted omnibus funding bill (Public Law 110-161). This long-overdue benefit provides Law Enforcement Officer status to CBP Officers and will aid in their recruitment and retention of these essential personnel. To rescind this benefit would undermine those efforts by continuing to treat them as second-class members of the law enforcement community.
– $10 million to address deficiencies at Customs and Border Protection-owned ports of entry.
Education
“The President’s budget shortchanges minority institutions and the minority students they serve,” said Congressman Reyes. “Many elementary or secondary schools in El Paso are Title I schools. El Paso Community College and UTEP are both Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). The President made significant cuts for both Title I schools and HSIs, even though these schools generally serve students with the most need.”
The Bush Administration’s budget eliminates 47 programs and cuts $3.26 billion in redirected spending. Eliminated programs include:
– Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education
– Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants
– Reading Is Fundamental
– Even Start
– Education Technology State Grants
– Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
The President’s proposed budget for No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is insufficient to meet current challenges let alone the new requirements that Administration is proposing for NCLB reauthorization.
The President proposes cutting $18.8 million from Hispanic Serving Institutions, despite the explosive growth of the Hispanic population. The University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College are HSIs. Additionally, the President has once again failed to call for an investment in graduate study at HSIs.
The president proposes $14.3 billion for Title I – a $406 million increase, which is still well below the Congressionally authorized amount of $25 billion.
For the first time in eight years, the President has requested an increase for Title III programs for English Language Acquisition. The President’s budget includes $730 million for– an almost $30 million increase.
Instead of investing in public education, the President proposes to divert valuable resources to risky voucher schemes. The President has dedicated $300 million to a “Pell for Kids” voucher program. The President also proposes to convert the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program to vouchers and reduce finding for after school programs by $281 million
The President fails to increase the investment in GEAR UP, TRIO, HEP and CAMP which help low-income, first generation, and migrant students prepare for and succeed in college.
Border Water Infrastructure and Flood Control
$13 million for International Boundary and Water Commission’s (IBWC) Rio Grande Flood Control and Rehabilitation, compared to $250 million in needed flood control work.
$10 million for Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), compared to close to $850 million in water and wastewater projects in need of funding.
“Real need exists for these infrastructure funds in El Paso and along the border,” said Congressman Reyes. “With the water scarcity and flood control challenges we face, President Bush should realize the importance of these federal funds.”
Law Enforcement Programs
The Bush Administration proposed the elimination of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).
“It is completely baffling to me that President Bush, a former Texas governor, has eliminated the SCAAP program from his budget every year since 2002, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the burden,” said Congressman Reyes. “My colleagues and I have consistently managed to salvage yearly SCAAP funds. We will continue to fight for funding for this important program.”
The Bush Administration again proposed eliminating the Southwest Border Prosecutor Initiative.
Economic Development
The Bush Administration’s budget cuts the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by $731 million below the level needed to maintain current services. CDBG created over 55,000 new jobs in 2006, and provides flexible funding to communities and states for economic development and job creation, affordable housing, and help for citizens in need.
“In El Paso, we rely on CDBG to provide safe and affordable housing and social service activities for thousands of El Pasoans, and to construct or rehabilitate public buildings,” said Congressman Reyes. “Communities like El Paso need this federal funding.”
The Bush Administration cuts funding for Dislocated Worker state grants by $271 million below the level needed to maintain current services, providing only $943 million for state grants in 2009. This program successfully provides job training, career guidance, placement, and other services for dislocated workers, includes those who lost their jobs due to trade.
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