Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) issued the following statement at the conclusion of the House Budget Committee’s mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget. The Committee began its mark-up at 10:30 AM Wednesday and finished at 12:30 AM Thursday.

During debate, Republicans offered thirty separate amendments to improve the plan on a range of federal issues. Twenty-nine of those thirty amendments were defeated in a straight party-line vote.

“It goes to show just how broken Washington is that over the course of a fourteen hour debate on the budget, not a single Democrat would stand up to their liberal leadership and vote for a single amendment offered by Republicans. We worked hard to have a frank discussion and improve a spending plan that covers everything the government touches. And it is unfortunate that the Democrats on this committee unanimously chose partisanship over working towards fiscal responsibility, adequate veterans funding, cleaning up the earmark process, protecting retirement security, providing tax relief and keeping illegal aliens from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits.”

Congressman McHenry introduced or co-sponsored five amendments to the budget:

1) Protecting American families from a $683 billion tax hike – the largest in American history – by making permanent the tax relief of 2001 and 2003.

“In a time of economic uncertainty – a time marked by rising gas prices and skyrocketing healthcare costs – it is absolutely immoral for Congress to take up a budget that calls for the single largest tax hike in American history. Sadly, that’s exactly what this Democrat budget does with its $683 billion tax increase.”

“Under the Democrat tax hike, the average taxpayer in North Carolina will be forced to pay an additional $2,672 to the government. That is unacceptable. The people of Western North Carolina sent me to Washington to change business as usual and stop government waste, not make it worse. And that’s why I can’t support this budget.”

“I believe government can and should do more with less. We should cut wasteful and duplicative programs, and practice responsible budgeting just like American families. When the family budget gets tight, you cut spending – and Congress should do the same.”

Because Congressman McHenry’s amendment was defeated on a straight party-line vote, under this Democrat budget:
• Some 116 million taxpayers will see an average tax increase of more than $1,800 per year.
• More than 6 million low-income individuals and couples who currently pay no taxes will no longer be exempt.
• A family of four earning $50,000 will see their taxes increase by $2,100.
• Approximately 48 million married couples will face an average tax increase of $3,000 per year.
• Low-income families with one or two children will no longer be eligible for the refundable child tax credit in 2011.
• Roughly 12 million single women with children will see their taxes increase by $1,100 per year.
• About 18 million seniors will be subjected to tax increases of more than $2,100 per year.

2) Establishing a “firewall” for veterans’ funding that prohibits money budgeted for veterans from being used as an offset during the appropriations process for other purposes.

“Later on in the year we’ll move from the budget and on to the business of appropriations. When that happens, we need to be completely clear about one thing: you can’t take money from the veterans and give it away for something else.”

“You can’t use the money that funds healthcare programs for those who lay their lives on the line to defend America in order to pay for another wasteful government program.”

“This amendment lays down a firewall for veterans funding – a clear mandate: veterans are not to be treated like a poker chip; they are not to be bargained with. We must fully fund veterans’ care.”

3) Increasing funding for veterans’ programs by nearly $1 billion by using money allocated to “airdropped” earmarks – those inserted into spending bills without debate during secret conference committees.

“Commitment is a two-way street. When a fellow citizen commits himself to the line of fire to defend us – to defend our lives, our freedoms – we must commit to giving him the care and treatment he deserves when he comes home.”

“This amendment backs up our commitment. It provides veterans with an additional $1 billion in funding to give them the quality healthcare they deserve – the quality of care they’ve earned.”

4) Prohibiting illegal aliens from receiving benefits from the earned income tax credit.

“When it comes to the taxpayers’ money and illegal aliens, one thing should be crystal clear: if you enter this country illegally, you don’t get a penny of the taxpayers’ money. None. Zero. Under any circumstances. Ever. Period.”

5) Prohibiting tax hikes on pension and other retirement funds.

“We should encourage retirement savings, not penalize it with repressive taxation. Retirement savings account for nearly 40% of all household financial assets in the United States. When you raise taxes on investments, you’re dealing a serious blow to retirement security in America. You’re attacking the financial well-being of millions of retirees and people who are living on fixed incomes.”

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