Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement for Members’ Day for the House Budget Committee. Members’ Day provides Members of Congress with an opportunity to testify before the House Budget Committee regarding Members’ priorities in relation to the federal budget. Larsen submitted remarks that included his concern that budget cuts may devastate the 8,000 students in the 2nd District of Washington who rely on critical help from Pell Grants to afford college tuition.

“The Pell Grant program has a profound impact on students, universities, and on the economic vitality of our country. In the midst of university cuts to vital student services and unstable increases in tuition, Western Washington University students are finding themselves unable to prioritize their educational experiences or continue their education at all,” said Iris Maute-Gibson, Legislative Liaison for the Association Students of Western Washington University. “I am pleased that Rep. Larsen is fighting to maintain Pell Grant funding to help dedicated Western Washington University students and guarantee economic growth engine for our nation.”

“We should be telling young adults "America will invest in you," but the Republican budget cuts delay and may end the dream of higher education for many. In my district, over 8,000 students received Pell Grants that helped them attain the higher education and career training they need to secure good jobs after graduation,” said Rep. Larsen.

The full text of Larsen’s remarks follows:

Budget Committee Members’ Day Remarks
Wednesday, March 30th 2011

Thank you Mister Chairman and Members of the House Budget Committee for providing me with the opportunity to voice my concerns regarding the federal budget.
I am working to find solutions to get the economy back on track and fuel job growth. This means making investments in local infrastructure that creates private sector jobs, supporting research that promotes innovation and building our manufacturing base to grow jobs through exports-all in order to maintain U.S. economic leadership in the world.
But the majority’s budget proposals in the 112th Congress take the first steps to undermine these efforts to grow our economy and create jobs. These cuts are putting local jobs, law enforcement and help for hardworking families on the chopping block.
That is why; as Congress continues to move forward making reckless cuts that we stand together to protect those programs that help our long-term economic recovery.

If we cut these programs, we harm our ability to grow the economy and create jobs and make it more difficult – if not impossible – to cut the debt and deficit.

I agree that the Federal government must get its fiscal house in order and bring down the $1.5 trillion deficit.

However, these budget proposals make reckless cuts into the investments necessary for economic growth.

We need a responsible budget that protects the economic progress we have made and lays a foundation for future economic growth.

I will continue to work with colleagues to identify areas we can responsibility cut. In fact, during this Congress I have supported nearly $50 billion in responsible budget cuts.

However, we cannot have credibility on reducing the deficit or controlling the debt unless our economy is growing.

And, unfortunately, the cuts proposed by the Majority would have a devastating effect on local programs and our economy.
Among the programs slashed by the majority’s budget are Pell Grants—need based student aid that helps many low-income families send their children to college.
We should be telling young adults "America will invest in you," but the Republican budget cuts delay and may end the dream of higher education for many. In my district, over 8,000 students received Pell Grants that helped them attain the higher education and career training they need to secure good jobs after graduation.
Unfortunately, Pell Grant funding is facing a funding shortfall. The recent spending bill passed by the House – that I opposed -- would cut this year’s maximum Pell grant by $845.

Again, I strongly support efforts to reduce the deficit and cut the debt.

However, we will not be able to reduce our deficit unless we continue to grow our economy and the proposed cuts are aimed at precisely the programs we are going to need for future economic growth.

I have also made a commitment not to support efforts to balance the budget on the backs of those most in need in our communities.

As a Member of Congress, and one who is committed to growing the economy and cutting the deficit, I have hard choices to make.

The Majority continues to bring proposals to the floor that cut programs that are critical to our communities and our economic recovery.

I will continue to partner with my Congressional colleagues to identify cuts we can make.

But, my first priority is to support those programs that help small businesses create jobs and unless we in Congress do that first we will not be able to form a long-term plan to cut the deficit.

Another area of the budget where we must put the necessary resources is the global non-proliferation program.

Under the National Nuclear Security Administration, our efforts to secure and dispose of loose nuclear materials and nuclear weapons is a paramount national security priority.

Ensuring that our efforts toward the President’s goal of securing loose materials by 2012 is critical.

The Global Threat Reduction Initiative – which is already seeing delays due to the current fiscal year’s uncertain funding levels – identifies and supports efforts by foreign governments to secure material.

GTRI faces delayed shipments of highly enriched uranium from nations like Belarus, Poland, Uzbekistan and Hungary.

The longer we allow these materials to stay out there, the more we put our allies, our troops and our nation at risk.

I greatly hope that this national security priority is one that the committee acts on judiciously as it decides where to decrease funding.

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