Clinton Takes Aim At Senate's Version Of Budget
He warns that it gives short shrift to education, children
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 3) -- President Bill Clinton put the Senate on notice Friday that its proposed $1.73 trillion spending plan doesn't square with the White House's budget priorities.
Clinton, just back from his 11-day trip to Africa, said he was concerned the Senate's proposal "will squeeze out critical investments in education and children."
The Senate approved the nonbinding spending plan Thursday night on a 57-41 vote; the House is not expected to draft its version until May, after a three-week spring break beginning today.
Clinton said he was pleased lawmakers have responded to his call to reserve anticipated budget surpluses until they work out a plan to shore up the Social Security system before an onslaught of Baby Boomer retirements.
But he said in a new economy, education is key and the U.S. needs to continue to invest in improving education and the lives of children.
"I believe America must address the challenges before us --
class size for our children. We must hire 100,000 new teachers
so that we can reduce those class sizes. We must spur school
modernization to make our classes smaller and our schools safer," he said.
"The budget now being drafted by Congress simply
does not meet these urgent national priorities," Clinton said.
Clinton also criticized a proposed highway spending bill as excessive. Earlier this week, the House OKed a $218.3 billion measure that critics say is loaded with frivolous pork-barrel projects.
"I'm also determined that highway spending, though it is quite
important ... must be within the balanced budget and should
not crowd out critical investments in education, child care,
health care or threaten our budget discipline," Clinton said.
The Senate's version of the budget includes $30 billion in tax cuts over five years, but little of the spending Clinton favors for schools and children. It projects an $8 billion surplus this year and total surpluses of $153 billion through 2003. Clinton did not mention it in his Rose Garden statement, but he has proposed $24 billion in tax
reductions through 2003.
"We look forward to an era of balanced budgets, an era of solid
economic growth, an era when we fix Social Security permanently,
fix Medicare permanently and we actually put our budget where our
mouth is," said Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) the chairman of the
Senate Budget Committee.
Here are the highlights of what the Senate passed, according to The Associated Press:
Spending: Would rise from $1.67 trillion in 1998 to $1.73 trillion in 1999 and to $1.95 trillion in 2003. Under Clinton's plan, it would grow from $1.75 trillion next year to $1.98 trillion in 2003.
Revenues: Would grow from $1.68 trillion in 1998 to $1.74 trillion next
year, $2.01 trillion in 2003. Clinton projects $1.75 trillion next year, $2.03 trillion in 2003.
Surpluses: $8 billion in 1998, $8 billion in 1999, $59 billion in 2003. Clinton sees surpluses of $4 billion next year, $43 billion in 2003.
Tax Cuts: Suggests $30 billion in tax cuts over the next five years; could be deeper if offsetting spending cuts or tax increases are found. Clinton has proposed $24 billion in tax cuts.
Tobacco Settlement Revenues: Would use any tobacco settlement money to bolster Medicare. If a settlement is actually achieved, however, its language on how to spend the funds would probably override the budget language. Clinton would use tobacco money for anti-smoking programs, hiring teachers and child care.
Highway Spending: Would allow $26 billion in highway and mass transit spending beyond levels agreed to in last year's five-year balanced-budget deal. The extra spending would be paid for by reducing benefits for some veterans with tobacco-related illnesses, administrative savings from Medicaid, and other cuts. White House officials say Congress' plans for extra road spending are too expensive.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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