Local members of Congress express concerns about the fate of several programs targeted for cuts in the president's spending plan.

01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006

BY JOHN E. MULLIGAN
Journal Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- The Democrats in Rhode Island's congressional delegation expressed disappointment yesterday in the domestic spending cuts that President Bush has sought in his budget for fiscal year 2007.

Sen. Jack Reed and Representatives Patrick J. Kennedy and James R. Langevin all criticized the planned curbs on Medicare spending -- almost $36 million over five years, $30 billion of that from hospitals, nursing homes and other care-givers. They also criticized cuts in various education programs.

All three expressed opposition to the president's call for making some of his federal tax cuts permanent.

On defense, most of Mr. Bush's military spending choices for 2007 "can be justified," but his budget relies on "highly unrealistic" accounting for the cost of the war in Iraq, Reed said in an interview.

Republican Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee said he has pet programs that he will look out for, such as Amtrak subsidies and Pell grants for needy college students.

But Chafee said he doesn't know yet how those programs would fare under the spending request, which Mr. Bush sent to Congress on Monday.

Chafee later issued a statement in which he said there are areas "where the president's budget either cuts too deeply or fails to recognize the positive impact of a program."

Chafee warned against harming Medicare and said "We need to pay for any tax cuts."

Kennedy said in a news release that the budget "is full of ups and down, but it's pretty simple. If you are wealthy, or a strong special interest, it's up; if you are a hard-working family trying to make ends meet, this budget pushes you farther down."

Kennedy listed what he called the "Top Ten Most Egregious Cuts" in the budget, including reductions in spending for subsidized housing for the elderly.

"Once again, the president claims he can have it both ways by making permanent tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while reducing the deficit in half by 2009," Langevin said in a press release. But he said the budget would keep the government on a path of spending more than it takes in.

Langevin also criticized proposed reductions in small business programs, Community Development Block Grants and weatherization aid for poor households.

Reed faulted Mr. Bush for seeking only about $2.7 billion to fight avian flu next year, despite congressional action to spend more on that problem in the current year.

Langevin and Kennedy were unavailable for interviews because of their travel schedules.

jmulligan@belo-dc.com / (202) 661-8423