mr. chairman , first , let me just thank the gentleman for yielding me the time and for his leadership ; also to the gentleman from north carolina ( mr. watt ) xz4004240 , the chairman of our congressional black caucus , and to the gentleman from virginia ( mr. scott ) xz4003632 for their leadership in spearheading this very responsible alternative budget . 
the cbc budget is not only fiscally responsible but it also reduces our federal deficit by $ 167 billion . 
it rescinds the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for individuals making more than $ 200 , 000 . 
it closes tax loopholes and it drastically reduces funding for the ballistic missile defense program by about $ 7.8 billion . 
the republican budget , quite frankly , fails to live up to any standard of morality that requires us to care for the least of these . 
from port security to health care , the republican budget falls short on every count . 
on the other hand , the congressional black caucus budget shows how national security priorities must include the economic security of all americans . 
a strong america can not have desperate , vulnerable people . 
as a member representing one of the largest ports in the country , it is clear to me that there needs to be significant increases in port security funding . 
the cbc budget provides $ 500 million more for port and container security . 
at a time when our ports remain one of our most vulnerable targets , allocating funds for container security is essential . 
unfortunately , the republican budget fails to adequately support homeland security priorities . 
our budget strengthens economic security priorities by easing disparities in housing and health care for example . 
the president 's budget eliminated the community development block grant program which provides financial assistance towards improving housing and economic conditions in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods . 
that is why i am very proud to support the cbc budget that provides $ 1.12 billion more than the republican budget to the cdbg initiative . 
the president 's budget also eliminated the brownfields redevelopment program , but our budget adds $ 24 billion . 
the brownfields redevelopment initiative provides important incentives for hazardous site cleanup and redevelopment . 
it is crucial to the health and safety of our communities , especially our children . 
the cbc budget also provides an additional $ 880 million for section 8 housing and $ 500 million more for hope vi . 
all of these programs are crucial to ensuring the economic security of the most vulnerable americans . 
the cbc budget also restores approximately $ 50 million in funding to the public housing drug elimination program . 
it allocates $ 490 million to the minority health initiative and $ 500 million for community health centers . 
these programs are vital to providing primary health care for our minority communities . 
mr. chairman , the republican budget punishes people . 
it punishes them by making them choose between their health or their housing . 
the cbc budget allows people to have access to both . 
the republican budget erodes our economic security . 
it weakens our community . 
it leaves our infrastructure crumbling . 
the republican support of outdated weapons systems , wasteful defense programs , reckless tax cuts , and irresponsible deficit spending relegates economic security priorities to the back burner . 
i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the congressional black caucus budget . 
