For Immediate Release

Statement by Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell on Budget Agreement to Keep the Federal Government Open

 WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell issued the following statement this evening after President Barack Obama and House and Senate Leadership announced a budget agreement to keep the Federal government open:

 “A government shutdown is not in the best interest of our country. Many important services for families, seniors, veterans, and our service men and women may stop and as a result, will hurt our economy even more.  The constituents of the 7th Congressional District sent me to the U.S. House of Representatives to help create jobs, reduce the deficit and create economic opportunities for their communities and families. I firmly believe that Congress must make the tough choices to reduce the Federal deficit and create job opportunities. All programs should be on the table for review, but our Nation’s  poor, seniors, women, children and middle class families should not bear the brunt of those cuts.  Unfortunately, controversial policies to women’s health and the environment have been preventing the House from passing a budget for the rest of Fiscal Year 2011.  Democratic leadership provided many opportunities to vote to keep the government open, but my colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to oppose them. I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to keep the Federal government open, and I look forward to passing a final funding measure for 2011 that it balanced.  I also look forward to having a robust and transparent debate about the Fiscal Year 2012 budget.”

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Contact: Nichole Francis Reynolds 202-225-2665 Nichole.Francis@mail.house.gov