Hartzler: Budget bill strengthens our military readiness

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) and the House have approved a budget that begins the task of reducing the federal deficit while safeguarding national security by reinstating some of the scheduled defense cuts.

“This budget bill reduces the deficit by roughly $23 billion without raising taxes,” said Hartzler. “The agreement falls short of securing everything I would like to have in the budget, but with divided government in Washington, it is a step in the right direction.”

In addition to reducing the deficit, this budget provides our national defense with $30 billion more over the next two years – reversing some of the sequester’s arbitrary across-the-board cuts that negatively impact our military,” continued Hartzler. “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform, I am pleased that this budget safeguards our national defense, which is one of the primary responsibilities of the federal government.”

“This agreement will provide certainty by averting a government shutdown in January,” added Hartzler. “This is good for all Americans as it breaks Washington’s pattern of lurching from crisis to crisis. It is not everything we want, but it strengthens our military readiness while cutting spending, and that’s good for America.”