Velazquez on President's Fiscal Year 2017 Budget

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement on the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget:

“The President’s Budget builds on the vision he outlined in his State of the Union Address in January and would make vital investments in our nation’s future. If implemented, this set of proposals would strengthen our City and create greater opportunity for New York’s working families for decades to come.

“I was particularly pleased to see this Budget places so much focus on creating educational opportunity. It includes $9.6 billion for Head Start, $434 million more than what was previously enacted for 2016, increasing the length of Head Start programs. This initiative has been vital to New York City children and I’m happy to see it prioritized. The Budget also increases funding for Preschool Development Grants, laying the groundwork for universal preschool throughout the nation.

“Likewise, the President’s Budget would strengthen our economy for the long term while generating greater opportunity for working families and American businesses. By investing in America’s small manufacturers and directing additional resources to workforce training programs, the Budget would help strengthen our industrial base. In Brooklyn and throughout New York City, we are seeing a manufacturing resurgence and the President is wisely calling on us to further bolster that sector.

“The Budget also seeks to position our nation as a leader in the clean energy advancements by providing a 20 percent increase over 2016 for clean energy research and development across 12 agencies. Not only do investments like these preserve our planet for future generations, but they also position our country and City to host the jobs of the future.

“Part of securing opportunity for all Americans means providing safe, livable housing for working families, especially in tight housing markets like New York. The Budget aims to provide over $38 billion in rental housing assistance to support 4.5 million low-income families through the Housing Choice Voucher, Project-Based Rental Assistance, and Public Housing Programs. With homelessness on the rise in our City, the Budget also invests $11 billion in mandatory spending and $2.8 billion in discretionary spending for targeted homeless assistance.

“Lastly, but equally important, I would note that the President’s Budget proposes important changes to how we treat Puerto Rico. The humanitarian and fiscal crisis unfolding there is a national disgrace and urgent action is needed on multiple fronts. I’m heartened the President’s Budget would move toward providing Puerto Rico with greater parity under the Medicare DSH and Earned Income Tax Credit Programs.

“The budget also urges Congress to approve a debt restructuring mechanism for Puerto Rico. The fact is that without a meaningful debt restructuring the situation in Puerto Rico will only continue deteriorating. Now, it is incumbent on Speaker Ryan and Congressional Republicans to join their Democratic colleagues in moving such a proposal forward.

“On balance, the President’s budget makes smart investments in the future of our nation and City. I will continue working in Washington to see these proposals implemented.”

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