Owens Votes for Spending Cuts, Urges Further Compromise

Press Release

Congressman Bill Owens today voted in favor of the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 (H.R. 1473), legislation that includes $28 billion in new savings for the American taxpayer. His vote in favor of H.R. 1473 brings the total amount of spending cuts supported by Congressman Owens in the 112th Congress to approximately $39 billion.

"I am pleased to see compromise on this budget, which will keep critical government services running for Upstate New Yorkers," said Owens. "For months, I have called for a deeper, two-to-three percent across-the-board cut which would amount to approximately $60 to $90 billion in savings. While I believe we could have cut more without letting politics or ideology get in the way, I believe it is critical to move forward in this process. Most importantly, this agreement will continue to pay our troops, who risk their lives every day to preserve our freedom. If for no other reason, it is necessary for both parties to compromise for the continued support of the American armed forces and move this budget process forward."

With the passage of H.R. 1473, Congress is currently operating under its fourth stopgap funding bill. The legislation will keep government funded through the fiscal year as Washington negotiates a budget for fiscal year 2012, which begins October 1, 2011.

"In the past four months, we have seen a small amount of compromise in extending tax cuts for the middle class, and again with this budget agreement. It is my hope that we can come together once again and incorporate the best ideas from President Obama and both sides of the aisle in Congress as Washington moves forward to craft a 2012 budget that focuses on job creation, deficit and debt reduction, and turning the nation's view to one of bipartisan problem solving, leading us to continued prosperity," added Owens.

H.R. 1473 passed the House of Representatives this afternoon by a vote of 260-167.

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