Hoyer Statement on the Budget Agreement

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the bipartisan budget agreement:

“Congress has a responsibility to work in a bipartisan and fiscally responsible way to replace the sequester so that we can invest in a more competitive economy and a stronger future for our country and its people.  I continue to believe that our economy is suffering from uncertainty caused by a pattern of kicking the can down the road and creating artificial political deadlines instead of tackling the larger issue of agreeing to a sustainable fiscal policy that can replace the sequester. 

“While it is unfortunate that Congress has again missed an opportunity to reach the kind of agreement we need, what we have before us is an agreement that is better for the American people than the alternative.  It accomplishes the goal of equal treatment for our defense and non-defense priorities, setting the stage for appropriators to finish work before December 11 on investing in our national security and long-term economic growth.  Furthermore, it removes the threat that our country will not pay its bills beyond next Tuesday, provides relief to seniors for their Medicare premiums, and prevents a reduction in benefits to those covered by Social Security Disability Insurance.

“Rather than sit and wait for this latest interim agreement to run its course, Congress ought to work in a deliberate and bipartisan way to achieve the certainty of a long-term solution to our fiscal challenges.  We must not set ourselves up for yet another crisis-induced, short-term response when this latest budget agreement expires.”