RT-"budget nearly triples homeland security spending over 2001 levels, including
an increase of nearly 10 percent next year, to $30.5 billion. This money will
help tighten security at our borders, airports and seaports, and improve our
defenses against biological attack."
Radio Address of President Bush to the Nation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of the
radio address of President Bush to the Nation:
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This coming week, my administration will
release our proposed budget for fiscal year 2005. In that detailed blueprint
for government spending, Americans will see my priorities clearly at work. We
will devote the resources necessary to win the war on terror and protect our
homeland. We'll provide compassionate help to seniors, to schoolchildren, and
to Americans in need of job training. And we will be responsible with the
people's money by cutting the deficit in half over five years.
With troops currently on the ground fighting our enemies, my budget
increases defense spending by 7 percent, money that will go the pay for
equipment, ammunition, and troop housing. We'll keep our military strong and
ready for every challenge that may come. Since I took office, we have
increased pay for our men and women in uniform by 21 percent. Next year, I
propose raising their pay by another 3.5 percent. Our troops put their lives
on the line to defend America, and we owe them our best in return.
Given the continued terrorist threat against the American people, my
budget nearly triples homeland security spending over 2001 levels, including
an increase of nearly 10 percent next year, to $30.5 billion. This money will
help tighten security at our borders, airports and seaports, and improve our
defenses against biological attack.
I'm proposing to raise the budget for the FBI by 11 percent, including a
$357-million increase in spending on counterterrorism activities. America will
not let its guard down in our war on terror.
My budget also focuses on our priorities at home. This year, we'll begin
moving towards prescription drug coverage under Medicare by providing drug
discount cards to seniors. We'll also help lower-income seniors this year and
next with up to $600 in direct assistance for drug costs.
We're devoting additional resources to our schools, to help them meet the
higher expectations set by the No Child Left Behind Act. My budget calls for a
49-percent increase over 2001 spending on our public schools. There will be
additional money for early reading programs for schools in low-income areas,
and for enhanced Pell Grant scholarships for students who complete a rigorous
curriculum.
My budget also asks Congress to fund my Jobs for the 21st Century
initiative, which will help young people and adults gain the skills they need
to fill the new jobs in our changing economy. This initiative will help high
school students who are falling behind in reading and math by supporting
better teaching methods. And with the support of Congress, we will provide new
funding to America's fine community colleges, to help them teach the skills
our changing economy demands.
We're meeting these priorities within a responsible budget. Under my plan,
overall discretionary spending will grow at less than 4 percent. And non-
security-related spending would rise less than 1 percent, the smallest such
proposed increase in 12 years. By exercising spending discipline in
Washington, D.C., we will reduce the deficit and meet our most basic
priorities.
To assure that Congress observes spending discipline, now and in the
future, I propose making spending limits the law. This simple step would mean
that every additional dollar the Congress wants to spend in excess of spending
limits must be matched by a dollar in spending cuts elsewhere. Budget limits
must mean something, and not just serve as vague guidelines to be routinely
violated. This single change in the procedures of the Congress would bring
further spending restraint to Washington.
Americans expect government to meet its most basic responsibilities --
protecting citizens from harm, and promoting prosperity and compassion at
home. Americans also expect our government to live within spending limits. My
2005 budget is designed to meet both of these goals, using tax dollars wisely
and by focusing resources where they are most needed.
Thank you for listening.
END
SOURCE White House Press Office
/CONTACT: White House Press Office, +1-202-456-2580/
/Web site: whitehouse.gov |
