WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, praised President Obama’s commitment to cutting the deficit while investing in America’s future in his FY2012 budget proposal.
“I hear from Delawareans every day who are concerned about our spiraling deficit,” Senator Coons said. “The President’s budget proposal is a first step toward deficit reduction. I am encouraged by the President’s commitment to education, applied research, and alternative energies – all of which are important to Delaware and all of which will lay the foundation for sustained economic growth.”
“For medium- and long-term economic growth and stability, we need bipartisan recognition that serious deficit reduction must not only look at domestic discretionary spending cuts, but also entitlement programs, Pentagon spending, and comprehensive tax reform.
The President’s budget includes several key measures that that will help grow Delaware’s economy:
- An investment in the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit
- An investment in expanding promising and effective models for training STEM teachers
- An investment for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy to continue to lead in the exploration of clean energy
- The establishment of an Early Learning Challenge Fund to incentivize states to improve the quality of early childhood programs
- An investment for wind energy, including offshore wind, in which Delaware is a leader
“I applaud the President for remaining committed to innovation while taking strong steps on deficit reduction,” Senator Coons continued. “I look forward to studying the President’s budget proposal more closely over the next few days to look for additional opportunities to cut or consolidate outdated programs and to identify additional investments in key areas. I know my Democratic colleagues in the Senate are eager to work with the President to find long-term solutions for deficit reduction.”