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Budget Responsibility

Date: March 25, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Government Budget and Spending


BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY -- (House of Representatives - March 25, 2004)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Republican budget carefully crafted by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle) for fiscal year 2005, because it is a responsible plan that sets clear priorities.

As we fight the war on terrorism, we will make sure we have the tools that we need to fight the enemy abroad and
protect our homeland. Defense spending has increased 7.1 percent, and homeland security has increased 9.5 percent.

Additionally, we are committed to continuing the policies of economic recovery through job creation. The budget allows for making tax cuts, like the marriage penalty and child deduction, permanent so American families can keep more of their own hard-earned money.

Finally, we are going to cut the deficit in half in 4 years by holding the line on nondefense and nonhomeland security, and by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. We must be better managers of the taxpayers' money, and this budget will be a positive step in the right direction.

In conclusion, may God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

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