Budget Priorities
- Posted by admin on July 15th, 2008 filed in Budget Priorities, Candidates, Votes
2005
FY2006 Budget Amendment: S.Amdt. 173 to S.Con.Res. 18 Vote #56 to increase discretionary health and education funding by $2 billion.
Senator McCain: Nay Senator Obama: Yea
FY2006 Budget: The fiscal year 2006 budget agreement (H. Con Res. 95). The budget establishes a blueprint for how federal funds will be spent in the next fiscal year. The budget agreement cut $35 billion over five years from programs such as student aid and Medicaid that provide assistance to those most in need, provided $70 billion over five years in tax cuts targeted primarily to those with the highest incomes, and failed to make needed investments in public education. This Resolution specified $10 billion in Medicaid cuts and a $15 billion cut from the Food Stamp program, resulting in 300,000 children being cut from the Food Stamp program. Thousands more children were to be without any healthcare options as State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP) were part of this cut. The budget agreement passed 52-47 on April 28, 2005. (Senate Vote # 114) .
Senator McCain: Yea Senator Obama: Nay
Budget Reconciliation (S. 1932) As instructed in the Budget Resolution agreed on in April, the Senate Budget Reconciliation package cut $35 billion over five years. Cuts included reductions in federal spending for prescription drugs, student loan programs, and decreases in agriculture subsidies. The cuts to Medicaid and Medicare included did not directly harm beneficiaries. Passed 52 - 47, Nov. 3, 2005 (Senate Vote # 303)
Senator McCain: Yea Senator Obama: Nay
Budget Reconciliation: a budget reconciliation measure (S. 1932), which made massive cuts to entitlement programs, including $7 billion in cuts to student aid that were projected to increase the average student loan debt by $5,800. The bill passed 50-50, with Vice President Cheney casting the tie-breaking vote, on December 21, 2005. (Senate Vote # 363 ).
Senator McCain: Yea Senator Obama: Nay
2006
FY2007 Budget Resolution/Health and Education Programs (S. Con. Res. 83) An amendment offered by Senators Specter (R-PA) and Harkin (D-IA) to the Senate budget resolution for fiscal year 2007, which would add $7.1 billion for health, education and training, and low-income programs. The Senate allocation of increased funding for programs was a rejection of the administration’s proposed belt-tightening budget, which would have undercut human needs and entitlement support. Passed 73-27, March 16, 2006 (Senate Vote #58)
Senator McCain: Nay Senator Obama: Yea
2007
FY2008 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 21, as amended) A resolution setting forth the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008. This budget proposal would have raised funding levels for many human needs programs severely cut in the previous six years. It also reinstated “Pay-go” rules to bring about a balanced budget. Although the budget resolution was agreed to in both House and Senate, legislators subsequently cut proposed funding for these programs due to their inability to override vetoes of the appropriations bills. Passed 52-47, March 23, 2007. (Senate Vote #114)
Senator McCain: Nay Senator Obama: Yea
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (H.R. 3043). A bill to fund hundreds of programs that support low-income families, elderly persons, those with special needs, and children. Although this funding bill passed in both the House and the Senate, the President vetoed the final bill. Passed 56-37, November 7, 2007. (Senate Vote #405).
Senator McCain: Not Voting Senator Obama: Not Voting
Dorgan-Grassley Payment Limits Amendment (H.R. 2419) This amendment would have lowered the limit for annual farm subsidy payments per individual from $360,000 to $250,000 and invested the savings in conservation and nutrition programs. Southern senators forced leadership to make a deal that required 60 votes for passage. Failed 56-43, December 13, 2007. (Senate Vote # 424)
Senator McCain: Not Voting Senator Obama: Yea
