Washington, DC - Congressman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) announced his strong opposition to the budget proposal released by the Administration this week.  Towns called the Administration's budget proposal, which would add more than $4 trillion to the deficit in the next 10 years, both fiscally and morally irresponsible. 

"I guess I am no longer surprised by the Administration but I continued to be saddened by the choices and priorities the President sets," said Towns.  "The cost of making his tax cuts for the wealthy permanent will be $2 trillion in additional debt for future generations.  However, at the same time, the Administration puts forth a budget that shortchanges veterans benefits and slashes funding for health care and education initiatives.

"People want to talk about values. I think this Administration and Republican led Congress have the wrong values in establishing priorities," added Towns.

Towns, along with several other Democrats, have also been critical of the proposal for the items left out of the budget as well as what is in the plan.  Towns noted that the cost of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which will cost billions this year, are not accounted for in this budget.  Additionally, independent experts estimate that the President's proposal to privatize social security will cost trillions of dollars in coming decades, and is also not accounted for in the budget. 

"The President is not being straight with the American public," said Towns.  "This fiscally irresponsible budget threatens our economy and long term job growth because the Administration is unwilling to take the necessary steps toward fiscal responsibility by forgoing an additional round of tax breaks for the wealthy."

Particularly hard hit in the budget are health care and education programs.  During the past four years, the number of people without health insurance has increased by 5 million, but this budget cuts $60 billion in health care funding for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

"Instead of addressing the problem, the Administration proposes a plan to undermine our health insurance program that will lead to hundreds of thousands of people losing their coverage," said Towns.  "The long ago promise of leaving no child behind is also unfulfilled by this budget.  By failing to provide billions in promised education funding, we are denying millions of children  the smaller classes, better teachers, and help with reading and math they need to succeed."

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