WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today said she will oppose the budget proposal Democrats have submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives.  The measure will likely be debated this evening and tomorrow before a vote on the framework for five years of federal spending.

“The mountain of debt this budget represents to multiple generations of Americans is unsustainable and irresponsible.  This budget represents a legacy of debt for our children and grandchildren,” Emerson said.  “Instead of saying yes to every new spending proposal Congress can think of, we ought to use some common sense and identify some real priorities.  On the other side of the balance sheet, raising taxes on charitable contributions, eliminating home mortgage interest deductions, and reviving the estate tax are serious concerns for Americans facing tough times.  On paper, this budget includes $1.2 trillion in tax increases – and there are even more when you read between the lines.  This budget is out of step with the hardships being felt in Southern Missouri and across the nation today.”

Emerson also noted her opposition to the reconciliation instructions contained in the five-year budget, a procedural move that authorizes congressional committees to raise revenue and approve new spending.  The legislative language enables new initiatives from specific committees to bypass the Budget Committee in Congress.

“Any time we talk about raising taxes on the American people, we ought to have a transparent process which is accountable to the taxpayer,” Emerson said.  “I’m especially concerned about taxes and mandates on greenhouse gases and carbon which could be passed under this budget.  These new restrictions on U.S. businesses will have a devastating effect on millions of Americans by taxing everyone who flips on a light switch,” Emerson said.

The Democratic budget assumes a $1.7 trillion deficit in FY 2009 and an increase in the publicly-held national debt to $11.5 trillion in FY 2014.  Emerson says she will vote against the budget resolution when it is considered on Thursday, April 2.