Lowey Supports President's 2014 Budget Request

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Rockland/Westchester) issued this statement on Wednesday regarding President Obama’s budget request for fiscal year 2014 saying that it provides direction for cutting the deficit and would end the sequestration cuts. 

“President Obama’s proposal is a good guide to boosting job growth and reducing our deficit over the long term. I have already supported more than $2.5 trillion in deficit reduction, and as the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues in the House and Senate to find ways to continue to responsibly reduce our deficit while investing in economic and job growth.

“I am pleased that the President’s budget would cancel the dangerous, arbitrary and across-the-board budget cuts known as “sequestration” that went into effect in March and are already hurting our economy and cutting critical services for families in the Lower Hudson Valley. If allowed to continue, these cuts will lead to over $4 million in reduced funding for schools in Westchester and Rockland Counties and a potential loss of over $1.3 million for critical medical research in the region.  Ending these senseless cuts is one of the most important steps we can take to keep our economic recovery on track and protect American families.

“The President’s budget also includes badly-needed funding to help our veterans, expand access to early childhood education, improve our homeland security and prevent gun violence. President Obama’s proposal for a new Transition Assistance Program called Transition GPS would help our veterans adjust to civilian life after completing their service, and increased funds would support ongoing efforts to end veteran homelessness and reduce the shameful backlog in the VA Health Care System.

“The Securing the Cities program, which helps New York law enforcement detect and prevent a radiological or nuclear attack, would also continue to receive support under the President’s proposal.  In New York City alone, this critical program has helped to train over 13,000 law enforcement officers in radiological and nuclear detection. The Administration also seeks to further invest in early childhood education, including over $2 billion for the President’s new Preschool for All and Preschool Development Grants initiatives as well as increases for Child Care Development Block Grants and Head Start.

“Following the tragedy in Newtown, additional funding being requested by the President is essential to prevent gun violence and expand mental health treatment through improved recordkeeping and background check systems, assistance to help recognize early signs of mental illness and training for 5,000 new mental health professionals.

“While I have concerns about some of the President’s proposed changes to programs that are important to seniors and middle-class families, I share his commitment to enacting a balanced plan that will sustain economic growth and believe that both parties can and must come together to end the budget gridlock in Washington.”