Response from Senator Murray

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Fiscal Year 2006 budget reconciliation
process. I appreciate hearing your views on this matter.

At a time when communities along our Gulf Coast are hurting; when we are facing
the implementation of a confusing new Prescription Drug Law; when our roads,
bridges and railways are aging; when millions of Americans are concerned about
how to pay to heat their homes this winter; and when the men and women who have
sacrificed to serve us overseas cannot find jobs when they return home, we
should be focused on protecting our most vulnerable – not handing them further
burdens.

Unfortunately, the Republican majority in the Senate pushed through the first
piece of a budget reconciliation package that advances the wrong priorities for
our nation. I believe that to make our country strong again, we need to make
critical investments here at home, and that's why I opposed this budget. It cuts
Medicaid spending for our most vulnerable; cuts agriculture investments for our
family farms who have been hit hard by soaring energy costs; opens ANWR up to
shortsighted drilling; and increases PBCG premiums that could trigger an
avalanche of companies eliminating defined benefit plans.

There are three main components to the Majority’s reconciliation plan. First,
the spending reconciliation bill included more than $40 billion in “savings” -
money that will cut food stamps and Medicaid, reducing aid for those who are the
least among us. Second, is the tax cut reconciliation bill, which cuts taxes by
$70 billion. This package would increase the deficit by $31 billion over the
next five years. Finally, in order to accommodate these policies, the Majority
has proposed to increase the debt limit of the federal government by another
$781 billion. Now is not the time to take steps backwards. Now is the time to
make the choices that will help Americans prosper and make our country stronger.

If we continue with the administration’s policies and factor in the cost of
Alternative Minimum Tax reform and ongoing war costs, gross federal debt will
climb to $11.3 trillion by 2010. These deficits are occurring at the worst
possible time – right on the brink of the retirement of the baby boomers
generation. Currently the number of people receiving Social Security and
Medicare benefits stands at 40 million people today, but is projected to rise to
81 million people by 2050. We should be preparing to take care of our aging
population, not draining their resources.

A budget is a statement of priorities. This budget pushes the wrong priorities
on our nation. I'm going to continue to use my positions on the Budget and
Appropriations committees to fight for the kinds of investments that make our
nation stronger and our people more secure.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write to me. If you have any further
questions please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,


Patty Murray
United States Senator

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