Congressman Smith Statement on Budget Vote

I issued the below statement following today’s House vote on the Bipartisan Budget Act (H.J. Res. 59). The budget passed by a vote of 332-94.

I supported the congressional budget agreement for a number of reasons. First, it reduces the deficit by $23 billion more over the next 10 years than current law. (Current law is the Budget Control Act known as sequestration.) The budget provides $33 billion more for defense over the next two years, which will help San Antonio’s military installations and the thousands of men and women who serve our country.

The budget also increases the contributions of federal employees to their pension plans and so reduces the cost of federal pensions to American taxpayers. The budget reduces the deficit and helps our military personnel without increasing taxes.

Passing the budget allows Congress and the American people to now focus on the flaws of Obamacare and the President’s dismal record on the deficit. Under President Obama, the national debt has increased 50%--$6 trillion.

It’s going to take a new President and a Republican-controlled Senate to seriously tackle our nation’s debt. Under a Republican-controlled Senate, Congress could overturn Obamacare, enact a real budget that reduces federal spending, and take meaningful steps toward deficit reduction that secure our nation’s financial future.