Congressman Bob Gibbs Statement on Passage of Government Funding Bill

Statement

Congressman Bob Gibbs today released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 2055 the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act a measure that will fund the federal government through September 30, 2012:

"Today, the House passed bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will avoid a government shutdown and makes real cuts in discretionary spending for the second year in a row. In total, the Republican-led 112th Congress will have cut discretionary spending by $95 billion compared to FY 2010, the last year Congress was under Democrat control.

"This bill provides for a pay raise to our troops, stops several excessive government regulations on job creators, and speeds up the development of new American energy. Furthermore, Congress is leading by example by cutting our own budget for a third time. Most importantly, this funding bill will help reduce our deficit and get our budgets back into balance so we can create a better environment for job growth.

"It is time for the Senate Democrats to stop playing politics and adding to the uncertainty on middle class Americans. I urge the Senate to pass the bipartisan Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act which extends the payroll tax cut for a full year and extends unemployment benefits without burdening Americans suffering in the Obama economy."

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