President George W. Bush delivered his mid-session review of the Federal Budget this week, touting the success of his economic package and warning the Congress to keep discretionary spending in check. Autumn Veazey, United Fresh legislative director and associate counsel and Andrew Marshall, government relations assistant, attended the briefing where the President asserted his tax cuts have led to a growing economy, increased federal revenues, and a decreased federal budget deficit. He reiterated that if continued, his pro-growth policies and policies of spending restraint will lead to a balanced budget in 2012. According to the President, small businesses have benefited, keeping an average of $4,712 more, and that since his tax relief was fully implemented in 2003 more than 8.2 million new jobs have been created, including more than 2 million jobs in the last 12 months. He also plans to continue fiscal policy to put the death tax on the road to extinction. The President conceded that domestic spending would be tight because of priority spending on the War in Iraq and on Homeland Security, but he fervently stated that he will veto any annual spending bills that exceed the level of discretionary spending proposed in his budget. According to Autumn Veazey, "The President's tax cuts are helpful and we applaud what he is doing for small businesses, but with his threat to veto bills that exceed his spending proposals, it is essential to get our legislative priorities funded at an equitable level within the allotted budget framework of the Farm Bill." For more information, please contact Autumn Veazey at (202) 303-3427.
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
