John Boehner - 8th District of Ohio

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Feb 4, 2008

Washington - Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) released the following statement today after the President submitted his FY 2009 budget request:

“As our nation faces increasing economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to stay on track toward balancing the budget without raising taxes on families and small businesses.  It is now time for the Majority to offer a blueprint that accomplishes this important goal.  Anything short of that would show that this Congress is not serious about fiscal responsibility and pro-growth economic policies.

“Last year, Democratic leaders put forth a budget that proposed the largest tax increase in American history, and after watching some $250 billion in tax hikes pass the House in 2007, I fear that this was just the tip of the iceberg.  Instead of criticizing the President’s budget, the Majority would be well-served to join the President and Republicans in funding our nation’s priorities while protecting middle-class families and small businesses from a massive tax hike in 2010.  Will Democrats promise taxpayers that they will not reinstate the death tax and the marriage penalty, raise taxes on middle class families, and increase the tax burden on small businesses and investors?

“The start of the FY 2009 budget process also gives both parties a chance to show that we are serious about reforming pork-barrel spending.  House Republicans challenged Speaker Pelosi to join us in supporting a moratorium on earmarks while a bipartisan panel can craft standards for reforming the earmark process and eliminating wasteful spending.  Unfortunately, Democratic leaders refused to join us in this effort, underscoring for taxpayers that they are committed to preserving – not fixing – a broken Washington.  

“Finally, I invite the Majority to join Republicans in committing to long-term, fundamental entitlement reform.  Last fall, the first Baby Boomer received a Social Security check, reminding us all of the fiscal tsunami our nation will face if we do not act to prevent a catastrophic collision between entitlement programs and bankruptcy.  For the good of current and future generations, this challenge must be addressed.  It is the height of irresponsibility to simply ignore this issue, as Democrats did in their budget last year, and have done for many years.  It is time to work together and make the difficult choices necessary to preserve these programs so their exploding costs do not threaten future generations.  The President’s budget is an important starting point for this conversation – one that I hope will continue in the weeks and months to come.”

Boehner represents Ohio’s 8th District, which includes all of Darke, Miami and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County.  He was first elected to Congress in 1990.