WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell released the following statement after voting in favor of H.J. Res 59, the bipartisan budget bill:
“Today, I voted in favor of H.J. Res 59, the bipartisan budget agreement because it represents an important first step towards fiscal responsibility while mitigating the effects of sequester cuts. After more than three years of partisan brinkmanship, Democrats and Republicans have come together to pass a budget that replaces almost two-thirds of the sequester without cutting Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security benefits. This bipartisan budget compromise sends an important message to the American people that we can and should work together.
While I am optimistic about this progress, I am very disappointed that this agreement fails to extend unemployment insurance for the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Yesterday, I joined with 173 of my Democratic colleagues in requesting that Congress not adjourn for the year without extending this critical unemployment insurance. I had hoped that this request would be honored by Republican leadership but it was not. Now we leave Washington without providing 1.3 million unemployed Americans with the certainty they and their families need and deserve going into this holiday season. I believe this is a shameful neglect that I hope we will rectify in the new year.”
