Rooney: Budget a Good Step, But Defense Concerns Remain

Press Release

U.S. Representative Tom Rooney (FL-17), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the budget resolution passed today by the House of Representatives:

"I voted for this budget because it balances, protects our children from massive debt, makes the tax code fairer and simpler, saves Medicare, helps grow our economy and create jobs, and provides temporary relief from crippling defense cuts.

"However, I remain deeply concerned about the impact of sequestration and defense cuts on our national security. The cuts of the last several years have already left our military weaker and less capable of meeting the challenges we face around the world. If we can't fulfill our most important obligation, keeping our nation safe, then nothing else in this budget really matters.

"I'm glad we reached an agreement to prevent another round of deep cuts in 2016, but we know this puts us on track to be right here again next year. The President and Congress, Republicans and Democrats, are all culpable for these defense cuts and the devastating consequences they pose for our national security. We have an obligation to work together and find a long-term solution that restores needed defense funding and ensures our military has the tools and resources it needs to protect our nation."

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