Ehrlich on Washington column, April 3, 2000

1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Week of April 3, 2000 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Budgeting Priorities for America’s Future Crafting and passing the federal budget is a complicated and time consuming task. The process for passing the Fiscal Year 2001 budget began in February when President Clinton submitted his framework for spending. The final product must be completed by October 1 when the new federal budget year begins. While the Republican-led Congress found some common ground with the President, we opposed his plan to raise taxes by $250 billion, create 84 new federal programs, place government spending increases on autopilot and ignore Medicare and Social Security. The budget passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives last week meets our priorities to pay off our public debt, protect Social Security, provide tax relief, strengthen Medicare, and increase investments in education, defense, and veterans. 1 Protecting Social Security and strengthening Medicare: We will hold spending to responsible levels while protecting Social Security and working to eliminate the public debt by the year 2013. We have set aside $40 billion for Medicare reform and prescription drug coverage for low-income senior citizens. Retiring the public debt: Our plan pays down the $3.6 trillion publicly held debt, so the federal government’s credit card bill can read “paid in full” for the first time since 1969. Americans will see the benefit of a debt- free nation with lower interest rates on such items as cars, homes, and personal loans. Providing tax fairness for families : Our budget also provides tax relief for America’s families, including the recently passed Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Act of 2000. We believe a marital commitment of fidelity should not be met with a higher tax rate for newly-wedded couples. If our plan is signed by the President, 28 million married couples will see their taxes cut by about $1,400 per year which could be money used for savings, education, and travel. Strengthening our nation 's defense: