Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on President Biden’s FY23 Budget Request
“Our federal budget is a statement of our national values. Today, President Biden submitted a strong budget proposal that reflects the vital need to reinvest in our social infrastructure; guarantee safety and security, at home and abroad; and create an economy that works for all, not just the one percent.
“This budget presents an opportunity to build off of the federal spending bills we passed earlier this month and deliver on this country’s top priorities: tackling climate change, furthering racial equity, funding community violence intervention and prevention, expanding health care affordability and accessibility, creating good-paying jobs, lowering everyday costs and more.
“Furthermore, it is a huge sign of progress to see that the President has included the first White House tax proposal targeting billionaires. In a system where turning a profit often means cutting wages for working people or driving up prices, higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans are long overdue.
“As Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, I am pleased to see that the President’s FY ‘23 international affairs requests recognize the need to lead with diplomacy and development to confront the challenges America faces around the world. This includes an effort to revitalize our foreign policy institutions and workforce and a robust request to build the capacity of health systems, including a two billion dollar request for the Global Fund to Fight ADIS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which will help to set us on the path to achieving an AIDS free generation by 2030.
“While there is much to be applauded in the President’s budget, I am extremely disappointed by the proposal to increase military spending to a record high of $813 billion for FY23, $60 billion more than his request last year and far higher than any request by the Trump administration. We have a duty to invest in the American people and our needs here at home, not feed a never-ending Pentagon slush fund.
“I look forward to working with Chairwoman DeLauro and my colleagues on the committee to advance the FY23 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, ensure we have the resources needed to respond to urgent global challenges, and continue delivering for the American people.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force, and Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus. She also serves as Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. As a member of the House Democratic Leadership, she is the highest ranking Black woman in the U.S. Congress.