Statement of Congressman Jim Moran On President
Clinton's Budget Proposal
February 7, 2000
"The President's budget proposal makes sense, both for
Northern Virginia and for our nation as a whole.
I am very pleased that the President has included in this
budget $600 million for the replacement of the Woodrow Wilson
Bridge. Replacing this bridge is crucial to maintaining
the quality of life and strong economy we enjoy here in the
Greater Washington Metropolitan Area. The President's
request recognizes that the bridge is federally-owned, and is,
therefore a federal responsibility. Congress should move
quickly to approve this last portion of the bridge's financing
so that we can adhere to a very strict -- and rapidly
approaching -- construction schedule.
This is also a good budget for federal workers and military
service members. It provides a 3.7 percent COLA to both
groups, and for federal workers it contains provisions to
improve the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP),
provide mental health parity and long term care in health
insurance, and encourage more young workers to enroll in the
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
The President's budget also makes wise investments in our
nation's research and development program. The National
Science Foundation in particular, which is located in
Arlington, is slated for a 17.3 percent increase in funding
(to $4.57 billion). In addition, the President has
proposed more than $2 billion to protect our information
infrastructure from attack. Northern Virginia firms are
integrally involved in this work, and under the President's
budget they will expand these vital efforts for our
nation. The budget will help to assure that Northern
Virginia's leadership in information technologies will
continue.
Finally, this is President Clinton's last budget
proposal. In handling the budget, he has repeatedly
proven the cynics, skeptics, and critics wrong. He
inherited a $290 billion deficit and is now proposing a
unified budget with a surplus of $167 billion. That
accomplishment, which required great courage, has fueled 107
straight months of economic growth and has put the nation on
the road toward reducing the national debt.
As a member of the House Budget and Appropriations
Committees, I will work to ensure that the sound and
disciplined fiscal policies of this administration aren't
compromised. We are on the right track and we should
stay there."
For further information, contact Paul
Reagan at 202-225-4376
| 