A Weekly e-Newsletter from
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
                                     
March 14, 2008
Dear Friends,

This week, the Senate debated the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution with a variety of amendments, detailed below.  By the end of the debate, I could not support final passage of the budget, which serves as a nonbinding blueprint for Congress when it decides how to appropriate federal dollars later in the year.  Senate Democrats packed it with heavy spending and a $1.2 trillion tax increase, which is the largest tax increase in U.S. history.  To my dismay, the resolution passed last night by a vote of 51 to 44.  
The Budget Resolution increases non-defense discretionary spending by almost $211 billion over the next five years and adds $2 trillion to the gross national debt. It also contains no provisions for reducing entitlement spending, instead allowing it to grow by $488 billion over five years.  The Senate also rejected a number of amendments to extend existing tax relief past 2010. We must take large and immediate steps to end the reckless spending that is threatening the future of our nation. Congress must become better stewards of the taxpayers' money.

We also simply cannot raise taxes on America's families and businesses. We must alleviate the tax burden placed on our citizens, not increase it.