Budget Deal Averts Shutdown, Avoids Tough Spending Decisions

Budget Deal Averts Shutdown, Avoids Tough Spending Decisions
Congress, President Indebting Future Generations

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the United States Senate advanced a two-year budget blueprint that increases spending by $63 billion in 2014 and 2015, while promising fiscal discipline and deficit reduction down the road. The agreement puts Congress on course to avert a government shutdown when current funding expires in January. This deal essentially repeals the spending limits that had been set as part of a bipartisan agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling in 2011. Some supporters are calling for new deficit-reduction measures as part of any future agreement to raise the debt ceiling again, which Congress is likely to consider sometime in the next few months.
 
The LIBRE Initiative signed a joint letter raising concerns about a deal that would increase spending beyond the bipartisan levels that had previously been agreed upon.
 
Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative released the following statement:
 
"The U.S. national debt is over $17 trillion and growing because Washington spends too much, and will not stick to fiscal discipline. While it's encouraging that elected officials have reached across the aisle on a plan to avert a future shutdown – once again, Congress is failing to address our very serious fiscal challenges.

If our economy is to achieve real, and long-term economic growth, Washington must commit to fiscal responsibility and limited, responsible regulation. The millions who are being left behind in the current economy expect our elected officials to lead so that they can have gainful employment once more to support their families. Instead, the deal approved today just kicks the can down the road – and leaves more bills that must be paid by our children and grandchildren."

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Judy Pino, 202-578-6424 or Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309.