(Washington, DC) - Congressman Wally Herger (CA-02) today voiced strong opposition to H. Con. Res. 312, the Democratic budget for fiscal year 2009.   His prepared floor statement follows and can be watched here:

“Mr. Speaker, we're now in year two of the Democrat Majority.  For the second year in a row, they're proposing a budget that calls for the largest tax increase in American history - $683 billion, significantly more than last year's budget.  For our constituents this means eliminating the lower marginal tax rates, a new penalty on marriage, a lower child tax credit and new taxes on investment and retirement savings.  In California, taxpayers can look forward to an additional $3,331 in taxes.  Meanwhile, anticipating a tax hike, our nation's employers will think twice before hiring that next worker or investing in new infrastructure.  Mr. Speaker, we need permanent tax relief, not higher taxes.

“What's more, this budget fails to address the long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare.  This chart demonstrates how big a challenge we face.  Every year we do nothing - as prescribed in the budget - our future debt goes up by another $2 trillion.   Without reform, our three largest entitlement programs will keep growing until they crowd out everything else in the federal budget, from national defense to transportation and assistance for the poor.  Ignoring the problem won't make it go away.  I urge my colleagues to vote ‘no’ on this mirage of a budget, and support the responsible Republican alternative.”