Congressman Ami Bera Votes for Bipartisan Effort to Call for a Budget

Statement

Earlier today Congressman Ami Bera voted for the Require a PLAN Act (H.R. 444). The bill requires the President to submit a balanced budget for fiscal year 2014 or to include in the budget he submits to Congress an estimate of what year the budget will be balanced. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 253-167 with the support of 227 Republicans and 26 Democrats. Although not included in the final package passed by the House, Congressman Bera also voted in support of a bipartisan amendment to H.R. 444 that would use the Simpson-Bowles Commission's report as a guide for achieving deficit reduction and a balanced budget.

"The Simpson-Bowles report is far from perfect--it doesn't do enough to safeguard Medicare and to protect Social Security benefits for current and future retirees," said Congressman Bera. "However, it's a good starting point for us to get serious about addressing our nation's fiscal issues so that we don't bury our children under a mountain of debt. Our government needs to do its job, which starts with passing a budget. A budget lays out our priorities and will start to address our debt. I voted for this bill to demand that we put a plan in place that can lead to a smart, responsible budget. It's time for Congress to do its job and take a bipartisan, balanced approach."

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