Pelosi Remarks at News Conference on House Budget Resolution

Pelosi Remarks at News Conference on House Budget Resolution

Contact:Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House leaders held a news conference before the House vote on H.Con.Res.85, which will set forth the congressional budget for the federal government. The House is expected to pass the budget resolution this evening. Below are the Speaker’s opening remarks:

"This is a great day for us. On the floor of the House, we will be passing a budget â€" a budget in large part proposed by President Obama. This budget is a start in the investments that it makes in education, health care and energy, a tax cut for 95 percent of the American people, and reducing the deficit in half â€" more than half â€" by 2013.

"It fits comfortably among the initiatives of the Obama Administration and this Congress too â€" in terms of regulatory reform, in terms of addressing the concerns of our financial institutions, about other â€" the recovery package that we passed earlier this year.

"And the combination of efforts over these first three months â€" first quarter of this first session of Congress â€" has been investments in health care that are greater than anything we’ve seen in a decade, investments in education that exceed any other comparable time in history, ground-breaking initiatives in terms of energy that will create a new green economy and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

"And legislation also this past week, signed by the President â€" the parks bill â€" which is historic in being one of the greatest initiatives for conservation in a very, very long time in our country.

"This has been a great three months. This is a great day, and again, this budget fits comfortably among the President’s initiatives to turn the economy around â€" fits comfortably among other legislation that has passed the Congress which is Lilly Ledbetter, SCHIP â€" for our children, or the parks bill, or the Serve America â€" now called the Kennedy Serve America Act â€" legislation over and over again to take our country in a New Direction.

"You’ll be hearing from members of the leadership, but I want to acknowledge the presence of two of our newest Members of Congress â€" Kurt Schrader of Oregon â€" who is here and will be pleased to be answering any questions you may have. A very important part of our passing this budget today was Gerry Connolly â€" a neighbor here in Northern Virginia. Thank you, Gerry, for being with us and for your leadership.

"Now I’m pleased to yield to the distinguished Democratic Leader, Steny Hoyer."