WASSERMAN SCHULTZ STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FY17 BUDGET

Wasserman Schultz Statement on President Obama’s FY17 Budget

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and a former member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement today after President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2017 budget:

“President Obama’s final budget is a substantive proposal and strong statement of our values that would expand opportunity to more working families and make investments in some of our nation’s most pressing areas like education from quality pre-K to affordable college; as well as climate change and Social Security and Medicare.

“As a cancer survivor, I am particularly pleased with the Administration’s request for $755 million for Vice President Biden’s moonshot effort to ensure fewer families experience the heartbreak the Bidens, and so many others, have suffered as a result of cancer. As a woman and a mother, I am also thrilled that President Obama has recommended a $14 million increase in funding for the Title X family-planning program.

“Closer to home in Florida, I am pleased to see that the President’s budget includes $11 million dollars in additional funding requested for construction of the Fort Lauderdale Wave Streetcar, an exciting transit project I have been proud to successfully advocate for on the federal level, and more than $190 million designated for Everglades restoration projects.

“The President also demonstrated his commitment to a comprehensive national security policy that ranges from unwavering commitment to our allies, including Israel, supporting our service members abroad, and promoting economic development and resilient communities around the world.

“The President’s budget undoubtedly contains many important provisions worth funding and debating. However, it is extremely disappointing to me as an Appropriator and former member of the Budget Committee but also as an American, that House Budget Chairman Tom Price and Senate Budget Chairman Mike Enzi have denied the Director of the Office of Management and Budget the customary hearing to present the President’s budget. This is an extraordinarily disrespectful decision that shows Congressional Republicans are literally unwilling to hear, and as a result, actively preventing the American people from hearing, our President’s proposals to strengthen the middle class and support working families. This childish, insolent behavior is reminiscent of the government shutdown caused by the continued Republican ‘my way or the highway’ approach to governing.”

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