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202-225-4071

peter.chandler@mail.house.gov 

“Today, the President laid out a bold plan that makes smart investments to promote economic growth and create jobs, while also reducing the deficit in a responsible manner.  This is exactly the vision we need to make sure our country stays competitive in the future and that we continue to expand opportunities for working families across the country.

“I’m especially pleased that the President’s budget request contains a new 10-year, $4 billion proposal to accelerate the development and adoption of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies.  This is the future of the auto industry, and these technologies have the potential to save lives, decrease energy use, and transform transportation in this country.  Investments like this one will help ensure that the research, development and testing of these products will be done right here in the United States and not overseas.   We must ensure that Congress implements this plan so projects like the American Center for Mobility at the old Willow Run facility can be realized.

“Other proposals in the budget request that deserve our support are the $1 billion for the President’s “moonshot” initiative on cancer research; full funding and a permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund; and additional resources for the Pell Grant program to help make college more affordable.

“Congress has a fundamental responsibility to conduct oversight of the executive branch. It is sad to hear that my colleagues on the House Budget Committee have refused to call a hearing where the Director of the Office of Management and Budget will testify regarding the President’s budget request.  This refusal is without precedent, and as a member of the Budget Committee I hope my colleagues in the majority reconsider their decision so these new proposals can be fully examined in a public hearing.”

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