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Cohen Statement on House Passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013

December 12, 2013

[WASHINGTON, DC] – After the United States House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 to alleviate some of sequestration’s crippling effects, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) made the following statement:

“America is tired of government by crisis and of a Congress that lurches from one shutdown threat to the next. I voted for the Bipartisan Budget Act because this compromise will provide the stability both the business community and the American people need and deserve. While I don’t agree with everything in the bill, I joined President Obama in supporting it because it is a significant step in the right direction.”

“Tonight’s vote means we are on course to pass the first budget through a divided Congress since 1986. The agreement will also alleviate some of the crippling effects of sequestration by restoring $25 billion for non-defense discretionary programs like Meals on Wheels, LIHEAP, and research at the National Institutes of Health that could lead to cures for debilitating and fatal diseases.”

“Still, I am disappointed that this agreement does nothing to help the more than one million Americans at risk of losing unemployment benefits just days after Christmas. Earlier today, I voted to ensure this agreement extended a lifeline to those Americans looking for work, but Speaker Boehner and his colleagues did not join me and the vote failed. I will continue to urge the Speaker to keep the House in session until an extension of the unemployment compensation program is passed.”