(Washington, D.C.)—Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray released the following statement on the bipartisan deal that would roll back automatic budget cuts for the next two years and prevent a debt limit crisis.
“This is very good news for families, communities, and the economy in Washington state and across the country. There is far too much gridlock in Congress right now, but I am glad that Democrats and Republicans were once again able to work together on a budget deal that puts middle class families first, eliminates the threat of a debt limit crisis, and restores critical investments in health care, education, defense jobs, and other Washington state priorities.
“Budgets aren’t just about numbers on a page, they represent our values and priorities as a nation. So I’ve been proud to take the stories I’ve heard in Washington state and make sure they are heard loud and clear back in Washington, D.C. From the researchers I heard from at the University of Washington who are working on new tools to detect earthquakes, to the kids and parents at the Denise Louie Head Start Program I visited, to workers at JBLM and Fairchild who told me they were worried about furloughs and job cuts, and so many more. Reaching another budget agreement was about helping people like them—and I am glad we were able to get it done.
“This bipartisan deal isn’t the budget I would have written on my own, and there is a whole lot more we need to do to create jobs and address our long-term budget challenges fairly and responsibly—but working together to end this latest budget crisis and restore these critical investments is another important step in our work to grow the economy from the middle out, not the top down.
“When I worked with Chairman Paul Ryan in 2013 to break through the gridlock and pass our two year bipartisan budget deal, I had hoped it would lay the foundation for continued bipartisan work to help families and the economy. So I am proud that this deal builds on our 2013 budget deal, and I am hopeful that the bipartisan work can continue as we work to address the many other challenges facing middle class families and the economy.”
At the end of 2013, Senator Murray worked with Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) to pass the two-year Bipartisan Budget Act. Her budget deal expired on October 1, and the deal announced today builds on that deal for another two years. Last week, Murray reiterated her call for a budget deal like this that would restore investments in Washington state priorities.
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