Democratic Radio Address 3-15-08

[1:59] ..." infrastructure these areas have been repeatedly under funded by the Bush Administration. Gas prices are well over three dollars a gallon. We are dangerously dependent on foreign energy our budget says weakened do better. So we"...

[2:58] ..." we fully fund the president's defense -- war request our budget improves medical care for our veterans. The democratic budget also protects the homeland. We reject the president's deep cuts in law enforcement the cops program. And for our first responders the democratic budget restores the fiscal responsibility that has been shattered by the Bush Administration. Despite inheriting record surpluses President Bush has driven our country into a fiscal ditch. By the time the president leaves office the -- will reach an astonishing ten trillion dollars. That's more than 34000 in -- for every man woman and child in our country. More than the average cost of a new car. Our budget will begin to -- back out. It returns the budget to surplus in 32 and 33 it reduces depth and"...

[0:00]" Kent Conrad of North Dakota the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. This week Democrats in congress move towards adoption of a new budget plan for the nation. The democratic plan set to -- a new fiscal course it rejects the failed policies of the Bush Administration. And it takes immediate action to strengthen the economy create jobs and make America safer. The economic picture is not good growth has slowed job losses are mounting more than a 100000 private sector jobs were lost in February alone. Home foreclosures have hit record levels families are being squeezed by soaring gas college and health care costs. The democratic congress has responded. We're sending rebate checks to working families seniors and veterans we're providing incentives for businesses to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Our budget takes further action. It allows for additional steps to jumpstart our economy new tax relief and measures to address the housing crisis could help. We fund ready to go infrastructure projects. Other options include extended unemployment insurance food stamps in home heating assistance for those most in need. With so many Americans hurting we cannot afford to take the president to wait and see approach any longer. It is time to act the democratic budget does just that. And our budget provides extensive tax relief for the middle class. The Senate passed plan extends a marriage penalty relief the child tax credit that 10% bracket and provides for a state tax reform. It offers relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax that's attacks it is increasingly becoming in middle class tax trap. And we have energy and education tax cuts as well. The democratic budget also moves to shore up the foundation of our economy. With crucial investments in energy education and infrastructure these areas have been repeatedly under funded by the Bush Administration. Gas prices are well over three dollars a gallon. We are dangerously dependent on foreign energy our budget says weakened do better. So we invest in renewable and clean fuel technology and energy efficiency. Schools are overcrowded our students are lagging in reading and math and science. Our budgets says we can do better so we invest an early childhood education school modernization and make college more affordable. We all remember the tragic collapse of the interstate 35 bridge in Minneapolis last summer. Our roads bridges transit systems and airports are crumbling our budget says we can do better. So we invest in repairing and improving our nation's infrastructure. This investment will create jobs improve productivity and save lives. The democratic budget makes America safer. We support our troops in the field we fully fund the president's defense -- war request our budget improves medical care for our veterans. The democratic budget also protects the homeland. We reject the president's deep cuts in law enforcement the cops program. And for our first responders the democratic budget restores the fiscal responsibility that has been shattered by the Bush Administration. Despite inheriting record surpluses President Bush has driven our country into a fiscal ditch. By the time the president leaves office the -- will reach an astonishing ten trillion dollars. That's more than 34000 in -- for every man woman and child in our country. More than the average cost of a new car. Our budget will begin to -- back out. It returns the budget to surplus in 32 and 33 it reduces depth and spending as a share of the economy. The democratic budget cuts taxes. And even with the important investments we make the Senate passed plan is just 1% more spending than the president. The democratic budget provides the change in course we so desperately need it acts quickly to strengthen the economy. And it will begin to put our nation back on May sound fiscal path this is senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota thank you for listening"