Speech #1090133270

I repeat. when it comes to our homeland security. the Republican budget cuts over $450 million for fiscal year 2007 alone and $6 billion over 5 years. The Democratic budget provides $1 billion more for port security and overall $6.5 billion more to keep our country safe. The Republican budget continues to hide the cost of the Iraq war from the American public and cuts the Army National Guard strength by more than 17.000 troops despite the tremendous strain that the war has placed on them and now the additional charge that the President has made of them on immigration. The Democratic budget fully funds our Army National Guard. The Republican budget betrays our veterans by cutting $6 billion over the next 5 years from current services and tripling TRICARE health fees.