Dems delighted; GOP unhappy
with House budget

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz enthusiastically voted last week for a budget plan that narrowly passed the House of Representatives.
"The budget restores fiscal discipline," said Schwartz (D-13th dist.). "It balances the budget in five years. It’s a good, sound, moderate budget."
The budget passed by a vote of 216-210, with seven members not voting. All Republicans who voted were in opposition.
Among other local lawmakers, Reps. Bob Brady (D-1st dist.) and Chaka Fattah (D-2nd dist.), who are both running for mayor, supported the plan. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-8th dist.) was one of 12 Democrats who voted against it.
Murphy contended the budget did not do enough to guarantee middle-class tax breaks and rein in non-defense government spending, such as corporate farm subsidies.
The congressman wants to eliminate interest payments on the debt that the United States owes to other nations, then use the funds on alternative energy, health care and education.
"I was sent here by the families back home, not by any political party, and I think we can find the middle ground between being fiscally responsible and funding vital programs," he said.
The $2.9 trillion budget will change somewhat after negotiations with the Senate, which also passed a spending plan. The proposals do not address the long-term financing of Social Security and Medicare.
Besides the fiscal discipline, Schwartz favored the budget because of its investments in education and health care for children and veterans.
President George W. Bush likely won’t be happy with the House plan, since it increases the average budget for domestic agencies by 6 percent. The president wants an increase of less than 1 percent.
The House bill, supporters say, would lead to a $153 billion surplus in 2012. But Republicans point out that the surplus would be realized only if Congress fails to extend existing tax cuts that are slated to expire in 2010.
The Senate blueprint included $180 billion to extend some of the tax cuts expiring in three years.
Many House Democrats, including Schwartz, say Congress will eventually extend tax credits for married couples and parents and for research and development, along with deductions for local and state taxes.
"Nothing in this budget raises taxes in 2007, 2008 and 2009," said Schwartz, a member of the House Democracy Assistance Commission who left Friday on a six-day congressional delegation trip to the Ukraine and the nation of Georgia.
A small number of House Democrats, including Murphy, want more assurances in the long term.
"We need to protect the tax cuts that 8th district families are counting on, and we can’t leave it up to chance," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com