Federal Government Shutdown Avoided for at Least Two Weeks

The U.S. House passed a spending measure on Tuesday that will keep the federal government open for the next two weeks.

Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland praised the Houses actions, noting that it saved taxpayers $4 billion.

The people of North and Northwest Florida have entrusted me to fight for fiscal restraint in Congress and to make conditions right for local job creation, said Southerland. Last month, I joined my House colleagues in approving $100 billion in spending cuts compared to President Obamas budget request for this fiscal year. However, the Senates failure to act on these responsible reductions has prolonged economic uncertainty and inhibited job growth at the worst possible time.

In a House vote made necessary by the Senates inaction, I voted today for a short-term agreement that cuts spending by $4 billion over two weeks, added Southerland. This represents a small down payment on the total savings that must be found if we are ever going to alleviate the immoral burden of debt confronting our children and grandchildren.We must continue to fight for the significantly larger spending cuts that the America people demand. Main Street America is learning to do more with less, and it is time for Washington to do the same.

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