Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly voted against the Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposed by House Democrats.  The resolution passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 233 to 196 and is now pending in the Senate.

“Eight years ago, the Bush Administration inherited budget surpluses, but managed to leave a legacy of massive deficit spending and a national debt surpassing $11 trillion.  The budget produced by the House Budget Committee this year represented one of the most honest budgets Congress has seen in a long time, and that is to be commended. 

“I was especially pleased to see that the expected costs of our ongoing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have been included.  This budget also approves spending increases in areas that I strongly support, including our national defense and care for America’s veterans.  It also sets out a plan to put in place statutory pay-as-you-go budget rules and sets aside a deficit-neutral reserve fund for health care reform.

“America is fighting an economic emergency.  I support the government responding aggressively to get our economy back on track, and I voted for the Recovery Act to provide tax cuts for Hoosiers, huge new investments in education and our transportation infrastructure, and extra assistance to those folks who have been hit especially hard by record job losses.”

“At the same time, we must not ignore the growing national debt which our children are being asked to bear.  The annual budget debate in Congress is about priorities, and Washington needs to make more tough decisions about spending.  Working families in Indiana know all too well the importance of tightening our belts and making tough choices about spending, and Washington must do the same. 

I am hopeful that negotiations between the House and Senate will result in a budget that I can support.”  

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