04.08.11

Durbin Statement On Budget Agreement

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement on funding the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year:

“With an hour to spare, we have reached an agreement to avert a government shutdown. This agreement is the largest budget cut in our nation’s history and it still preserves the investments needed to help our economy continue to recover.

While these cuts will be painful, we must now turn our attention toward addressing our long-term debt and ensuring a future of fiscal responsibility.”

Late this evening, the Senate passed a short-term Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded through April 15th, while the long-term budget deal, consisting of $78.5 billion in spending cuts, is drafted. The House and Senate are expected to pass the long-term budget deal next week.