Beatty Statement on the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request
Beatty Statement on the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request
President’s Budget makes critical investments in nation’s present and future needs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement on the Obama Administration’s Fiscal Year 2017 (FY2017) Budget Request:
“President Obama has crafted a federal budget that lays a blueprint for making critical investments in our nation’s education, healthcare, childcare, housing and infrastructure,” Beatty said. “It is a vision of how we can give every American a fair shot at financial security; accelerate American innovation; and keep America safe. Unfortunately, Republicans have sunk to a new low by refusing to allow the Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shaun Donovan to present the President’s budget proposal – a first in modern Congressional history.” Beatty continued, “As opposed to working with the Administration and Democrats in Congress, Republicans continue to push an illogical agenda that protects the wealthy, well-connected and special interests at the expense of hardworking American families and our seniors.”
The Obama Administration proposes a federal budget of $4 trillion. The President’s request comes on the heels of news that the economy has added 14 million jobs, including 903,000 in the manufacturing sector, over the past 71 months – the longest streak on record – an unemployment rate that is below five percent for the first time in eight years, and 18 million Americans have gained health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
FY2017 Budget Request highlights include:
- Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for childless workers and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) and strengthening the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
- $5.5 billion to help one million young people gain the work experience necessary to be competitive in today’s workforce.
- $9.6 billion for Head Start ($439 million more than FY2016 enacted level), of which $292 million will be used to increase overall Head Start enrollment.
- Increasing the maximum Pell Grant by $300 for students who take 15 or more credits.
- $11 billion over the next decade for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to combat homelessness, of which $8.8 billion is for the housing voucher program and about $2.2 billion for short-term housing assistance.
- New $1 billion initiative to address nation’s opioid epidemic and expand access to treatment.
- $500 million in mandatory funding to improve healthcare access and outcomes for individuals experiencing serious mental illness.
- $44 billion to rebuild and modernize our nation’s highway and bridge systems.
# # #