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House Passes Budget Agreement Negotiated with Senate

 WASHINGTON – Wisconsin’s First District Congressman Paul Ryan today voted for a budget compromise measure that provides a blueprint for numerous funding priorities, including defense and homeland security, an economic growth plan, veterans’ programs, and a prescription drug benefit for seniors.  The House budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2004 also promotes fiscal responsibility.  If adhered to by Congress, it would reduce deficits each year and balance the budget in nine years. 

 The budget agreement was reached after negotiation between the House of Representatives and the Senate.  It passed the House by a vote of 216-211.  Remaining differences between the House and Senate are to be worked out during the budget reconciliation process.         

 “While holding the line on spending, this budget provides funding for a strong national defense, tax relief to create jobs and grow the economy, and a host of other key priorities including education, health care and veterans’ benefits.  Though it is far from perfect, overall this is a budget that keeps Congress on the right track, by bringing us to a balanced budget.”

 “However, I am deeply concerned about the prospects for enacting Medicare improvements under this measure,” Ryan said. “The resolution provides funding for much-needed reforms and a prescription drug benefit, but because of the way the budget is written, per Senate rules, it would take 60 votes to pass such legislation in the Senate.  That fact makes it considerably tougher to pass a law to save Medicare for the baby boomers and to modernize benefits for today’s seniors.  It means that the Senate will have the chance to filibuster Medicare reform for the third session of Congress in a row!  In both the 106^th and 107^th sessions of Congress, the House passed Medicare reform and prescription drug legislation while the Senate failed to act.”

 The House-passed budget devotes resources to protecting America, strengthening the economy and creating jobs, and addressing other top priorities.  Among its specifics, the House budget resolution:

 ·        Maintains the House-passed funding levels for defense and homeland security, which is consistent with the President’s request.

·        Provides for the total supplemental appropriation covering the war in Iraq.

·        Provides a $5.6 billion reserve fund (over 10 years) for Bioshield, which will help protect the public from emerging threats of chemical, biological, or radiological agents.

·        Includes $550 billion for the President’s jobs and economic growth package.  NOTE: During floor consideration, the Senate will only consider $350 billion, but in the reconciliation conference between the House and Senate, the conference can consider up to $550 billion.

·        Increases Fiscal Year 2004 funding for the Department of Education by 6 percent from the Fiscal Year 2003 level.   Provides a $2.2 billion increase for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004, and an additional $2.5 billion increase in 2005. 

·        Increases Medicare funding by 7.2 percent over Fiscal Year 2003 and provides separate $400 billion reserve funds in the House and Senate for Medicare reform with prescription drug coverage.

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