DeLauro Comments On President’s Proposed Budget

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)--SeniorDemocrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the departments of Labor,Health and Human Services, and Education--issued the following statement todayin response to President Obama's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2014.

"The President's proposed budget is a serious proposal thatmakes targeted investments to promote job creation and economic growth,including the creation of an infrastructure bank, which I have long championed.It wisely takes steps to eliminate the deeply harmful, across-the-board cutsknown as sequestration that were made to job training, Head Start, education,health care and worker safety programs, among others. Sensibly reversing thesecuts to our common-sense priorities is exactly what we need and stands in starkcontrast to the Ryan-Republican Budget.

"However, other proposals are of great concern. I don'tagree with the President's proposal to change the way we calculate SocialSecurity benefits, known as Chained-CPI, particularly at a time when more andmore Americans rely on these benefits for their retirement incomes.

"Ultimately, Democrats and Republicans must come to areasonable agreement that puts our country on solid economic footing for thelong term. While I do not agree with every idea that President has put forwardtoday, his budget reflects a desire to do what's best for the American public.House Republicans need to stop pursuing their ideologically driven agenda andmake our country's future their priority.