“This budget reflects the values of the men and women I talk to when I am home every weekend,” Jones said.  “It protects and strengthens the Social Security and Medicare programs for our nation’s seniors.  It increases defense spending so that our men and women in uniform can have the equipment and training they need to protect the citizens and interests of this great country.  It also sets education as a top priority, to ensure that each child has access to a quality education.  These are goals we should continue to strive for if we want to make life better for all Americans.”

“While the budget reflects our commitment to make critical investments in the future, it also represents a move toward greater fiscal accountability within the government and increased responsibility within our communities.  Big government often forgets about the needs of our small towns and cities.  When individuals and families have more power, they can better address the issues that affect their daily lives,” Jones said.

The budget resolution is the first step in the annual budget process, serving as an outline for the FY 2001 budget and setting funding levels for Fiscal Years 2002-2005.