Mark Udall’s statement regarding the budget agreement reached tonight between Democrats and Republicans:“I congratulate both Democrats and Republicans for coming together and agreeing on a budget compromise. Shutting down the government would’ve affected tens of thousands of Coloradans and their livelihoods were at stake. Military families were worried about receiving their paychecks, farmers would’ve waiting for operating loans to put seed in the ground, and people all over the country would be waiting on their tax refunds. Over 53,000 federal employees in Colorado would be sent home without pay.
“These Coloradans are the reason I introduced a bill today to keep the government funded this year. My bill would also prevent either party from ever using the threat of a government shutdown to push its agenda again. I will continue my efforts to gather support for my bill and bring it to the floor for a vote because using political games to play with people’s lives is unacceptable. The American people elected Congress to lead and it’s time for our country to put aside partisan politics and refocus our efforts toward addressing our nation’s long-term fiscal challenges.”
Udall’s bill would change the law to require that funds automatically be appropriated at the previous year’s level if a budget could not be agreed to. Once Congress is able to reach an agreement to fund the government, this automatic funding would stop and be replaced by the enacted bill.
Tonight’s deal includes cutting $78.5 billion below the President’s 2011 budget proposal, and reaching an agreement on the policy riders. Meanwhile Congress will pass a short-term resolution to keep the government running through Thursday. That short-term bridge will cut the first $2 billion of the total savings.
