Madam Speaker,  I rise in strong support of S. Con. Res. 13, the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Conference Report.

In order to rebuild our economy and achieve long-term fiscal sustainability, we must make strategic investments into our nation’s health care, education, and energy programs, while simultaneously providing meaningful tax relief to families and businesses struggling to regain their economic footing.  Each week, I hear from my constituents in Rhode Island about their challenges in today’s economy, such as trying to save for their retirement, send their children to college, or protect their home from foreclosure.  As a member of the Budget Committee, I believe this conference report reflects the crucial priorities that families face everyday while adhering to an honest accounting of our fiscal challenges.

S. Con. Res. 13 builds on the significant funding and tax incentives incorporated into the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by increasing investments and job creation in clean energy technologies and overall energy efficiency.  It supports health care reform that will lower costs, improve quality, and pave the way for coverage to help all Americans lacking proper health insurance.  This budget honors the service of our nation’s veterans with an increase of $5.6 billion for veterans’ health care and other crucial support services.  Finally, it recognizes the profound importance of education by increasing funding for programs like Title I, special education and Pell Grants for college.

Just as important as our investment in job creation and economic recovery is the commitment to tax equity and fiscal responsibility.  This budget provides $1.7 trillion in tax cuts for middle-income families, permanently extending the 2001 and 2003 income tax cuts for the vast majority of Americans.  It also reduces the deficit by nearly two-thirds in four years, placing our country on the fiscally sustainable path necessary to regain our economic strength.

It is time for policymakers at all levels and across the ideological spectrum to join together and offer a new vision and new solutions to rebuild our economy.  I would like to thank Chairman Spratt for his leadership and dedication to working with Congress to ensure that this budget provides the framework necessary so that we may improve the health of our nation, reduce expenditures over the long term and ultimately regain the economic prosperity of our great nation.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution and urge its final passage.