Statement by the Honorable Michael C. Burgess, MD

House Committee on the Budget

March 3, 2004

Mr. Chairman, thank you for allowing me to speak today before you and the Budget Committee about my views on the FY 2005 budget resolution.

I am a strong proponent of a balanced federal budget and am concerned about projected future budget deficits. In Fiscal Year (FY) 1998, the federal government began operating in a surplus environment for the first time since 1969. Those surpluses continued through FY 2001, which allowed for a balanced budget and a reduction of the national debt. As you know, due to an economic recession and spending increases after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the federal government is now operating in a deficit spending environment. I believe we need to work to achieve a balanced budget again as soon as possible. That is why, in February 2003, I became an original cosponsor to the Balanced Budget Amendment.

To facilitate the return to balanced budgets, Congress has a number of tools at its disposal, including reducing spending, improving government efficiency, and promoting economic growth through tax relief.

I believe that spending is one of the biggest problems plaguing our federal government and has contributed to the burgeoning budget deficit. In an effort to curb excess government spending, I would like to work with the Budget and Appropriations Committees to redirect mishandled government funds. For example, in some states, funds from the State Child Health Insurance Program have been used to provide health insurance for childless adults despite the statutory objective of SCHIP to improve health assistance to low-income children. Thus far, millions of SCHIP dollars have been spent in violation of statutory authority. Mr. Chairman, addressing this misallocation of funding is but one small example of how we can reduce government spending by improving government efficiency.

In his FY 2005 budget, the President prioritizes economic growth, homeland security, and making healthcare costs more affordable and predictable.

I strongly believe that future economic growth depends, in large part, on the level of investment in transportation infrastructure that we make today. As a member of the Highways, Transit, and Pipelines Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I look forward to working with you and my committee colleagues to effectively address our nation's important transportation concerns.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has determined that the nation needs to invest $60 billion on highways and $12 billion on transit annually by the year 2009 to meet the demands of the growing economy. Unfortunately, the less than $40 billion we now spend is not close to the amount necessary just to maintain our current infrastructure, much less improve it.

The reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs is the top priority for my legislative agenda in the 108th Congress. I am anxious to work with you to achieve a funding level for our nation's transportation infrastructure programs that is sufficient to not only maintain the system, but to improve it as well. As you may know, my district includes the growing northern suburbs of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which provides state and local officials with some of our greatest transportation mobility challenges. The increase in traffic over the past three decades is a result of unpredictable population and employment growth experienced in the North Texas region. I want to be an effective advocate for the district's citizens, as well as the nation, in securing increased highway and transit funding for much needed, aging transportation infrastructure.

In Texas, our identified transportation needs outstrip available funding three to one. Texas has several specific transportation needs, such as supporting international trade transportation, more efficient environmental processes, and expanding innovative financing techniques. To address these needs, I will actively work with local, state, and federal officials to improve international trade transportation via Interstate 35 by widening current lanes and adding frontage roads without sacrificing Texas' ability to meet its regular mobility needs within the state. I also support the increased transit needs of the Metroplex, such as expanding the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to the Tarrant County Line and extending transit opportunities via the Denton County Transportation Authority to my constituency.

Furthermore, Texas only receives 88 cents for every transportation dollar that it sends to Washington in gasoline taxes -- ranking it 46th out of the 50 states. Working with donor states, I will seek to guarantee that all states at least a 95 percent rate of return on all funds distributed to the states. I want to ensure that Texans get their money's worth out of every federal fuels tax dollar sent to Washington.

The bipartisan leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee intends to explore all options to grow the program and produce a final version of H.R. 3550, The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users that adequately promotes economic prosperity, creates and sustains jobs, enhances safety, and continues to improve mobility for our nation's citizens.

As a fiscal conservative, I will continue to hold the line on the federal deficit by constraining unnecessary spending. Now, more than ever, as our nation fights the war on terrorism, we must act wisely, and spend prudently. Fiscal discipline is the hallmark of a free society because it enables individuals to pursue their dreams without the burdensome intrusion of the federal government.

We must also continue pressing for more tax relief for American families and businesses. Relieving this tax burden ensures a healthy national economy, which, combined with fiscal restraint, will help alleviate our national deficit. We must not place the burden of our current national spending spree on our children and grandchildren.

Currently, Congress and President Bush are working to address deficit concerns. President Bush's FY 2005 budget contains his proposals for reducing the deficit - the Administration budget would cut the budget deficit in half over the next five years. While I applaud the President's efforts to reduce the budget deficit, I believe that it may not go far enough.

In closing, I believe the road to a balanced budget is through economic growth and spending discipline. This strategy will greatly assist my constituents of the 26th District of Texas in stimulating the economy, creating more jobs, and allowing Americans to keep more of their own money. I look forward to working with you and the Budget Committee in ensuring the Congress achieves a balanced budget while allocating sufficient funding levels to meet our domestic and international needs.