Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House passed (332-94) a bipartisan budget agreement that funds the federal government through Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. Congressman Ralph Hall (TX-04) voted against the bill, citing concerns with inadequate spending cuts, reduction of cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for military retirees who are already underpaid, and the fact the bill does not address the repeal of “ObamaCare.”
“In 2011, House Republicans fought hard for necessary, responsible cuts to rein in government spending,” said Hall. “As a result, the Budget Control Act was signed into law by the President. Although the cuts in this law were modest and the ‘sequester’ flawed, we did achieve effective spending reduction. Unfortunately, the passage of today’s bill ignores that step forward and takes two steps back.”
Hall continued, “Today’s bill increases spending by $63 billion and relies on future promises of savings to address deficit reduction. In fact, roughly one-third of the proposed cuts in this bill ($23 billion) are postponed until 2022.
“I am also opposed to this budget proposal because it cuts COLA pensions for our military retirees. Our servicemen and women made personal sacrifices on behalf of protecting our country, and to reduce their pensions – when many are already underpaid – is a slight that should not be ignored. The 4th District is home to over 60,000 veterans, and I will continue to protect their interests.
“The Bipartisan Budget Act also leaves out any effort to defund or repeal ‘ObamaCare’ – an expensive government program that hurts individuals’ personal, financial, and health security. I am committed to fully repealing the President’s bad health care law and will continue to work toward this goal.
“We owe the American people a responsible, long-term budget that respects taxpayer dollars and a government that lives within its means. This budget deal falls short of the needs of my constituents and the American people.”
