Stupak: Resolution Meets N. Michigan Needs,
Moves Country Towards Fiscal Responsibility

WASHINGTON – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a “Continuing Resolution” that would largely fund the federal government until September of 2007 at Fiscal Year 2006 levels.  Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), who voted for the resolution, said that the Continuing Resolution was necessary because the previous, Republican Congress failed to complete its appropriations work last year.
 
“House Republicans left town without funding much of the federal government last year,” Stupak said.  “Last year, Congress completed only two of the necessary twelve appropriations bills, leaving Democrats with a mess on our hands when we took over in January.  As Congress must begin work on Fiscal Year 2008 almost immediately, House and Senate appropriators decided to pass a Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2007 that largely funds the government at the previous year’s levels , but also makes important investments in education, health, job creation and other priorities.”
 
“The Continuing Resolution provides funding that will address many northern Michigan needs in education, veterans’ health care, road development and elsewhere,” Stupak added. 
 
Stupak said the Resolution reflects Democratic values by increasing funding for veterans’ health care -- $3.6 billion above the Fiscal Year 2006 level -- to care for an anticipated increase of at least 325,000 new patients and to meet rising health care costs stemming from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Additionally, the Department of Defense received a $1.2 billion increase to meet the needs of active duty personnel, reserves and National Guard members deployed overseas.  
 
“Michigan’s 1st Congressional District is home to more veterans than any other congressional district in Michigan,” Stupak continued.  “We must make veterans' health care a priority and provide increased funding for military personnel.   I was pleased that even when faced with this fiscal fiasco, House Democrats were able to make veterans’ health care a priority.”
 
The resolution provides additional funding for Pell Grants, helping more families finance a college education.  The Continuing Resolution increases the maximum Pell Grant by $260, to $4,310.  This is the first increase in four years to help more than 5.3 million college students who receive Pell Grants.
 
“For many Americans, a college education is the key to a successful future and a decent job,” Stupak noted.  “After already voting last month to reduce interest rates on student loans, increasing the maximum Pell Grant award builds on the commitment Democrats made to help put a college degree in reach for millions of more Americans.”

Stupak also said that important transportation and infrastructure projects will go forward under the Continuing Resolution. 
 
“Dredging for Ontonagon harbor was included in the President’s budget for Fiscal Year 2007 and I have received assurances that the Army Corps of Engineers will dredge Ontonagon harbor,” Stupak said.  “I will be working with the Army Corps of Engineers to determine what other northern Michigan harbors can be dredged under the Army Corps budget.”
 
Stupak said that road work will continue under funds provided in the Continuing Resolution. 
 
“The federal highway program would receive a $3.5 billion increase from Fiscal Year 2006,” Stupak said.  “These funds allow us to continue funding important transportation projects throughout our nation and will create thousands of northern Michigan jobs".  
 
Stupak said that the Continuing Resolution does not contain “earmarks” or line items that set aside funding for specific projects in Members of Congress’ districts. 
 
“Because the earmark process was abused under previous Congresses, Democrats placed a moratorium on earmarks, until the process can be reformed to be more transparent,” Stupak said.   “While many earmarks fund important projects throughout the country, the process should be transparent and not cast suspicion on how the Congress is using taxpayers’ money.”
 
Stupak concluded by saying that the Continuing Resolution was an important step towards fiscal responsibility for the U.S. government. 
 
“Last year, Republicans lost the election in November, decided they did not want to complete the tough work of funding the government, and essentially took their ball and bat and went home,” Stupak said.  “By not finishing their appropriations work, Congress faced its worst budget mess since the government shut-down in 1996. The Continuing Resolution that I voted for is an effort to move the country towards fiscal responsibility and away from deficit spending, while also funding the priorities that are critical to the American people and to the residents of northern Michigan.”

The Resolution must now be passed by the Senate before February 15th.