Chairman Emanuel Cleaver’s Statement on President Barack Obama’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

Washington, DC – Chairman Emanuel Cleaver II, released the following statement on President Barack Obama’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget:

 

“In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for a national commitment to help create an economy built to last–based on fairness, opportunity, and investments in our future. The President’s budget reinforces his commitment to rebuilding our economy and strengthening the middle class to make sure that every American has an equal opportunity to pursue and achieve the American Dream. As we leave behind the worst recession in generations, we remain committed to working with President Obama to rebuilding our economy for generations to come. With African American unemployment improving slightly, but still remaining in the double digits at 13.6%, I am pleased the President’s budget focuses on the job creation and economic development we so desperately need.

 

“With a strong focus on education, the President’s budget preserves funding for Pell Grants, teachers, improving K-12 and Higher Education for Students in our most vulnerable communities. Without development and training, how can we expect our children to succeed and to rebuild America’s workforce. With significant investments in job training, infrastructure, and community reinvestment, I believe the President’s budget is another step in the right direction towards full and long-term economic recovery.

 

“While I am disappointed there will be automatic cuts to many critical programs that those in our most vulnerable community depend on, I am pleased that the proposed cuts will be balanced. I am also pleased with the cuts to defense and the expiration of the Bush tax cuts for individuals who make over $250,000 a year.  Given the deficit, now is the time for all Americans to sacrifice, however; this cannot mean that the most vulnerable among us suffer or sacrifice the most. We cannot recklessly eliminate vital programs like job training, education, and health care for millions of hardworking American families as some of my colleagues in Congress would like to do. Congress cannot continue to offer proposals to eliminate these programs as that would be a road map to permanently damage the future wellbeing of our economy instead of rebuilding it to last for future generations.

 

“As I have stated before: investing in our community goes hand in hand with rebuilding our economy and achieving the tangible goal of full economic recovery.”