President George W. Bush did the right thing yesterday in presenting to Congress a request for funding the war and eventual reconstruction in Iraq, and Congress should take this belated request for funding into account when considering the budget and Republicans’ proposed tax breaks for the wealthy. Our nation faces too many known challenges to let huge, unbalanced tax cuts choke off our ability to meet pressing economic needs now and in the years ahead.

After all, we owe our troops more than support and funding for their jobs overseas—we also owe them a strong, vibrant country and economy on their return.

Unfortunately, the president’s supplemental request doesn’t go far enough for states and cities struggling to pay millions in overtime to police officers and safety personnel during the worst fiscal crisis in 50 years. Governors and mayors are forced into painful choices between dedicating resources to the unpredictable threat of terrorism or cutting health care and education. Tens of millions of working families struggle without basic health care and prescription drugs they need. Yet, the budget offered by the president and approved by the House siphoned off money meant to strengthen America into tax breaks for rich investors, and shortchanged basic programs all Americans rely on. And unfortunately, the Senate appears ready to pass a similar budget dedicating scarce resources to tax cuts. Already the Republican-controlled Senate rejected an amendment that would have reduced the tax cut by enough money to pay for continued emergency benefits for the long-term unemployed.

It is a breach of leadership for Congress or the president to compromise our fiscal future knowing that significant defense and domestic spending increases are needed to keep America safe.

Contact: Kathy Roeder (202) 637-5018