Emanuel on Budget Resolution: “We have invested in Iraq. And our budget ensures that we invest in America.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (IL) released the following speech as delivered on the House floor in support of the Budget Resolution Congress is considering today.

“This week, or just today rather, we discovered and it was reported that the United States was running a $176 billion deficit in February alone.

“Earlier in this week, we also found out that the Iraqis have a surplus of over $50 billion.

“We also know that the American taxpayers have paid for over 20 Iraqi hospitals to be refurbished and 80 health clinics to have been built, and 60 more are planned.

  “And the Republican budget, in the area of health care, cuts almost $370 billion for Medicare and Medicaid.

  “The Iraqis, thanks to the American taxpayers, will get 6700 schools rehabbed.

  “Republican budget eliminates the Pell Grant increases that Congress proposed this year.

“We’re also increasing our funding and training of the Iraqi teachers.

“The Republicans plan to reduce the military retirement and health care benefits by $1.3 billion.

“And while Iraq is running a surplus and not spending their resources on improving their country, the entire deficit over the entire period of time that the Republican budget has is a little over $700 billion.

“President Kennedy once said to govern is to choose.  And my friends on the other side have made some choices.

“While Iraqis runs a surplus, they’ve made sure that America runs a deficit.

  “While American taxpayers are asked to make sure that we rebuild schools and hospitals in Iraq, here in the United States, their budget cuts those very investments.

  “In fact, the Democratic budget turns this ship around from inheriting $3.8 trillion of new debt that has accumulated over the last 6 years and ensures that we invest in American schools, in American hospitals, in American health clinics, and American teachers.  And ensures also that we have a middle class tax cut. 
“So it makes sure that while we are doing what we are supposed to do in Iraq, we don’t do it at the expense of what we need to do here at home.

“We have invested in Iraq. And our budget ensures that we invest in America.”