Rep. Ted Deutch: Bipartisan Budget Agreement a Victory over Extremism

Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) issued the following statement after voting with 265 Democratic and Republican Members of Congress to pass H.R. 1314, a bipartisan budget agreement that provides two-years of relief from harmful sequester cuts and upholds the full faith and credit of the United States:

"After months of refusing bipartisan negotiations, today Republicans joined Democrats to pass a budget framework that shields our economy from devastating automatic spending cuts and protects the full faith and credit of the United States. By allowing for modest but equal increases to domestic spending as well as defense programs, this compromise paves the way for new investments in critical areas like education, research, and public health.

"At the same time, this agreement protects seniors from a 50 percent increase to their Medicare Part B premiums and prevents 11 million disabled Americans from suffering a 20 percent cut to their Social Security Disability Insurance.

"The passage of today's bipartisan agreement is a welcome step forward for the American people, who have too often seen partisan extremism jeopardize our economic recovery. It also sends a message to those who believe it is politically advantageous to threaten government shutdowns for partisan gain.

"Let today be a reminder that this institution only functions when bipartisanship wins out over the demands of ideological extremists."

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