Center for Effective Government Statement on Agreement to Reopen the Government and Avoid Default

PRESS RELEASE
-For Immediate Release-
October 16, 2013

Contact: Brian Gumm, bgumm@foreffectivegov.org, 202-683-4812

Center for Effective Government Statement on Agreement to Reopen the Government and Avoid Default

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2013—The bipartisan deal passed by the Senate reopens the government and avoids a default on U.S. debt. However, by only funding the government through January, it sets up another fight over funding the government in the next several months.

“While the Center for Effective Government is pleased that the third-longest government shutdown in U.S. history has ended, we remain deeply concerned that these manufactured crises will start again next year,” said Katherine McFate, President and CEO of the Center for Effective Government. “It is time for Congress to stop its single-minded focus on spending cuts and look at raising additional tax revenue. Polls show the American public wants Congress to focus on policies that grow the economy. Unfortunately, this shutdown cost the economy $24 billion, according to Standard and Poor's. It’s time to eliminate wasteful tax loopholes so we can start investing in America again.”

The agreement keeps in place the sequester-level funding that cut $80 billion from federal services and investments in fiscal year 2013. If no further budget deal is reached that replaces the sequester, deeper cuts will further lower spending over the course of fiscal year 2014. Under the terms of the deal, a committee of House and Senate members will be charged with reaching a comprehensive spending proposal by Dec. 13.

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The Center for Effective Government is dedicated to building an open, accountable government that advances the priorities defined by an informed citizenry. Find the Center for Effective Government on Facebook and Twitter.

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