(Washington, DC) -

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney
Floor Statement on the
CBC ALTERNATIVE BUDGET
May 17, 2006

Mr. Speaker:

I join my colleagues in support of the Congressional Black Caucus budget because it is a better statement of our country's values.

Parents and educators are asking for a fully-funded No Child Left Behind because America's children ARE being left behind.

Seniors are asking for accessible healthcare because Medicare Part D is leaving EVERYONE confused.

And veterans are only asking to receive the healthcare that recruiters PROMISED them and that they deserve.

You know, Tupac observed a long time ago that there's money for war, but we can't feed the poor.

He's still right.

Sadly, a study done by the Defense Contract Audit Agency estimated that Halliburton has received over 52% of the $25.4 billion that the Pentagon has paid to its contractors.

The study also shows that Halliburton presented questionable bills for close to $1.5 billion, lost pre-fabricated bases worth over $75 million, and still this Administration awards Halliburton new contracts.

If this Congress wants to truly balance the budget and satisfy the needs of working Americans, it should vote to pass the Congressional Black Caucus alternative budget.