Sarbanes Votes Against Drastic Cuts for Essential Programs

Early this morning Congressman John Sarbanes voted against the Republican spending bill, H.R. 1, that would fund government programs for the rest of fiscal year 2011. The measure passed the House of Representatives, in a vote of 235 to 189.

"I recognize that we are in a time of austerity and that we will have to make difficult choices between competing priorities," said Sarbanes. "In making these choices, however, we must be careful not to compromise the core values that have sustained American progress over the course of our history."

H.R. 1 has now been referred to the Senate for further consideration. A spending bill must be passed by March 4th in order to avoid a government shut-down.

"It is critical that we continue to improve the skills and health of our greatest asset -- the entrepreneurial American worker -- by ensuring access to education, training opportunities, and health care coverage," said Sarbanes. "I will continue to fight for a budget that is a reflection of those values."

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