ill Delahunt, a lifelong resident of Quincy, was elected to Congress in 1996, following a career in public service and law enforcement. Reelected to a second term with 70 percent of the vote, he serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the International Relations Committee. He also cochairs the Coast Guard Caucus and the House Older Americans Caucus.
Question: Given the current economic climate, what are your priorities for the budget surplus and why?
Answer: While some would tap the projected budget surplus for enormous tax cuts, I believe our top priority for the surplus - if it actually materializes - should be to chip away at the federal debt. Our progress thus far toward lowering the deficit has come disproportionately on the shoulders of health, education, housing and veterans programs.
It is, in my view, unthinkable to create new tax windfalls for special interests while these fundamental public functions remain so strapped. If the surplus is ultimately smaller than now projected, the problems will become even more acute.
Instead, we can put the anticipated surpluses to work - in effect to fix the leaky roof while the sun is still shining - without compromising the safety net of Social Security and Medicare, education, home heating assistance, public safety, prescription drug coverage, and other fundamental services.
A significant part of our progress toward lowering the deficit has been due to ''savings '' from cuts that have recklessly jeopardized public health. The ''Balanced Budget '' Act enacted in 1997 - over my strong opposition - has slashed more than $240 billion from Medicare. The results are staggering. Locally, 28 home care agencies and 31 nursing homes have closed; and the reimbursements to Massachusetts hospitals have been cut by $1.7 billion. It is a terrible irony that during a time of national prosperity, the most vulnerable Americans face unprecedented insecurity in health care.
We can do better. Toward that end, the prospects of continued surpluses are an opportunity - and a challenge.
