I called Senators Murray and Cantwell and Congressman Baird but thought that I would be able to get the budget message across better via email than voice mail (Murray's box was full). I sent those emails on Wednesday and received the following response from Senator Murray today. I find it encouraging:
Dear Ms. Murphy:
Thank you for contacting me about President Obama's federal budget proposal for fiscal year 2010. It is good to hear from you.
As you know, President Obama submitted a fiscal year 2010 budget blueprint to Congress on February 26, 2009. We expect the President will submit his full budget with additional details later in April. The President's budget is both a statement of priorities and evidence of our commitment to making the country stronger for all Americans. This budget blueprint is a step in the right direction. It invests in health care, education, and energy independence. In addition, after eight years of hiding the true costs of war, it is a return to honest budgeting when it comes to funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, President Obama inherited huge problems not of his own making. We are facing tough economic and budget times, including the largest federal deficit in recent history. These realities will require that we make some tough choices.
This March, the Senate Budget Committee, of which I am a senior member, will be writing their own budget. I am dedicated to working with President Obama and my fellow Senators to move forward and invest in our nation. As we continue in the fiscal year 2010 budget process, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind.
Again, thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding budget priorities. If you would like to know more about my work in the Senate, please feel free to sign up for my weekly updates at http://murray.senate.gov/updates. Please keep in touch.
I hope all is well in Vancouver.
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