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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted March 21, 2003 Press release © 2003 U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Menominee)

Stupak calls GOP budget fiscally irresponsible

President Bush said in his March 19 address to the nation that the military action in Iraq may be more complex and take longer than many expect. Yet on the very first day of that war, Stupak noted, the majority party introduced a budget resolution in the House that provides not one cent to wage that war. This budget resolution also contains more than a trillion dollars in tax cuts that would benefit very few Americans while endangering Social Security and Medicare, he added.

"When so many things are uncertain, we need to stop before we pass huge permanent tax cuts paid for by shortchanging essential funding, such as Medicare, Social Security, education, farm programs, and funding for first responders," Stupak said. "Right now we don't even know how long the war may last or what it might cost. It is irresponsible to pass a budget without taking that information into account."

Stupak pointed out that the sensible thing to do is to postpone the huge tax cuts until we know our fiscal house is in order.

"If your family already had their credit cars maxed out and suddenly you needed to buy a new furnace for your home, the last thing you would do is cut your income and hope somehow to pay off the credit cards and the furnace. That just doesn't make sense. So why does the government think it can cut taxes and somehow not have to worry about paying off the debt those tax cuts create? It just won't work.

"I have supported tax cuts in the past when we had our budget balanced," noted Stupak. "But I just can't support the irresponsible budget put forth by the GOP."

The Republican budget also cuts $14.2 billion over the next 10 years from veterans' health care accounts. Veterans' benefits such as compensation for service-connected disabilities, burial benefits, and GI Bill education benefits are also cut by more than another $14 billion over the next 10 years. Groups such as the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America have all issued statements opposing these cuts.

"What kind of message does this send to our troops overseas?" asked Stupak. "The fighting troops today are the veterans of tomorrow."

Stupak, who has opposed the Bush Administration's policy on Iraq, nevertheless stated to the press on March 20 that he supports the U.S. troops.

"Now that military action has begun, I think it is essential for all Americans to stand behind our troops 100%, and I do so, wholeheartedly," Stupak said. "When hostilities are over, and our American fighting men and women are safely home, I do believe we still need to debate some of the policy questions raised by this U.S. military action. But that is for another day."

The Republican plan also fails miserably to provide necessary homeland defense money to state and local communities, Stupak said.

"It is just as important to provide homeland defense resources, training and staff to our local firefighters, EMTs, police and medical workers as it is to equip our troops overseas," he added. 

A Democratic substitute resolution offered Thursday night would have provided $34 billion dollars more for homeland security over 10 years than the Republican budget does. $10 billion of this money would go out to states and local communities immediately, in 2003. The Democratic alternative was rejected on a largely party line vote. Stupak voted in favor of the alternative budget plan. 

Stupak also prepared an amendment to the budget resolution to express the sense of Congress that no new tax cuts should be passed until the health of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds are secured; but he was denied the opportunity to offer the amendment during the budget debate. 

The Republican budget resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 95, passed the House early Friday morning by a vote of 215 yeas to 212 nays. Stupak voted no.

For Rep. Stupak's views on current issues, including the War in Iraq, visit his Web site.

Editor's Note: For an update on the House of Representatives Floor Proceedings, visit the Web site of the Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.

For more legislative information visit the Library of Congress Thomas Web site.

Citizens may contact Stupak's Washington office at (202) 225-4735 or email him at stupak@mail.house.gov. His Congressional Aide Amy Wisti may be reached in Houghton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at (906) 482-1371.

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