DeLauro Reaction to President's FY 2011 Budget Proposal

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) released the following statement in response to President Obama's budget for fiscal year 2011:

"Overall, I am pleased with President Obama's proposed budget and its goal of addressing some of the most pressing issues our country faces today, specifically the dual commitment to grow our economy while also maintaining fiscal responsibility. The budget also reflects the president's understanding of the steps we must take as a nation to return to economic security and help those struggling with unemployment rates in excess of 10 percent.

"The President's dedication to renewing the American economy through better financial oversight, investments in green energy, and stronger support of education and family income supports is commendable, and his decision to reduce tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 a year demonstrates his clear understanding that we must take bold steps towards reducing the deficit created in large part by the Republican policies put in place before he took office, including two unpaid for large tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

"In addition, I am very pleased with the President's investments in our nation's health, including funding to improve the quality of Health Care Services for seniors and people with disabilities, bolster prevention and wellness, reduce childhood obesity, and expand access to primary care. The proposed budget will also focus on reducing Medicare and Medicaid fraud and developing more efficient features such as online Social Security appointment scheduling. And it will keep our families and communities safe by putting more police officers on the street, protecting children that have been exposed to violence, and working to prevent violence against women. These are investments in not only our nation's health and immediate well-being, but our future.

"However, I am disappointed in the $4 billion allocated for a National Infrastructure Innovation and Finance Fund within the Department of Transportation. In light of the President's remarks last week suggesting a National Infrastructure Bank be created, it is unclear to me how such a fund, headed by senior DOT officials, would truly depoliticize our infrastructure financing decisions, leverage significant private dollars or contribute more than programs already in existence at DOT. Taking a holistic approach to infrastructure financing and establishing an entity that will lay the foundation for future jobs and long-term economic growth should be the president's goal."