“This Is the Most Fiscally Irresponsible Administration in American History,” Says Democratic Whip
WASHINGTON, DC – This morning the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its annual mid-session budget review. The projected budget deficit now stands at $296 billion for Fiscal Year 2006 (which ends September 30). This number is down from the February projection of $423 billion. The Bush administration credits increased tax revenues being spurred on by previous tax cuts that mainly benefited the wealthiest of American taxpayers.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD), who represents the fifth congressional district which encompasses all of southern Maryland, released the following statement in response to the OMB announcement and President Bush's subsequent remarks:
“For an Administration that is struggling to maintain its credibility both at home and abroad, today’s concocted ‘victory lap’ on the federal budget deficit is not only the height of absurdity but also politically transparent.
“At $296 billion, the projected budget deficit for Fiscal 2006 would constitute the fourth largest deficit in American history – and even this estimate grossly understates the real size of the budget deficit.”“At $296 billion, the projected budget deficit for Fiscal 2006 would constitute the fourth largest deficit in American history – and even this estimate grossly understates the real size of the budget deficit. The truth is, the real size of the deficit is masked by the fact that the Administration and Congressional Republicans are spending every single penny of the Social Security surplus, an estimated $180 billion this year. Thus, even if OMB’s estimate today is correct, the real budget deficit is $180 billion higher – or some $476 billion.
“even Republican economists admit that such an increase in revenues is temporary and that the long-term budget outlook remains bleak”“Furthermore, the President’s claim that this reduction in the estimated budget deficit – an estimate that the Administration itself purposely inflated – somehow vindicates his economic policies is belied by the facts. The increase in revenues to the Treasury is largely attributable to record corporate profits, not a roaring economy that is benefiting American taxpayers who are facing exploding gas prices, skyrocketing health care costs and rising college tuition costs. Moreover, even Republican economists admit that such an increase in revenues is temporary and that the long-term budget outlook remains bleak.
“In just 66 months, the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans turned a projected 10-year budget surplus of $5.6 trillion into a projected deficit of $4 trillion”“All the public relations spin in the world cannot alter the facts: In just 66 months, the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans turned a projected 10-year budget surplus of $5.6 trillion into a projected deficit of $4 trillion by enacting unaffordable tax cuts at a time of war and by shunning pay-as-you-go budget rules.
“The American people will not be fooled by spin”“The American people will not be fooled by spin. This is the most fiscally irresponsible Administration in American history, and its fiscal legacy will be one of exploding deficits and dangerous debt. Today is not a day for this Administration to celebrate. Today is a day for the President to recognize that his economic policies are failing our nation and our people, and to commit to working with Democrats to restore order to our fiscal house.”