[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 178 (Monday, December 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION, 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, the bipartisan budget agreement represents 
some modicum of compromise, something that has been sorely lacking in 
this Congress. It is by no means a perfect deal, but both sides have 
made concessions so that we may avert a repeat of the disastrous 
government shutdown and begin to restore some of the draconian cuts 
caused by sequestration.
  For me, and many of my colleagues, this will be a ``hold-your-nose 
and vote yes vote,'' given our disappointment and concern about yet 
another cut in benefits for new federal employees. No other group in 
America has been asked to make the same sacrifices as the dedicated men 
and women of our federal workforce.
  Federal employees already have contributed $114 billion to deficit 
reduction as a result of a 3-year pay freeze, a reduction in retirement 
benefits for new hires, and lost pay as a result of furloughs. 
Thankfully, we were able to beat back the worst proposals to further 
encroach on their benefits, and I believe this bipartisan deal will 
minimize the prospect of additional furloughs by replacing some of the 
sequestration cuts.
  Nonetheless, I will continue fighting for our federal employees until 
they receive the respect they deserve and have earned. I will continue 
to push back against those in Congress who unfairly impugn federal 
workers for partisan political gain. And I will continue to protect the 
rights and dignity of federal workers and the valuable public service 
they provide to the nation.
  For Northern Virginia, which was disproportionately affected by 
sequestration, this agreement for the first time will replace a portion 
of those indiscriminate cuts with a more balanced approach. It will 
actually increase federal investments in research, innovation, and 
transportation. That in turn will help unleash business investments, 
which have lagged due to a sense of uncertainty fueled by the political 
brinksmanship in Congress.
  No one got everything they wanted out of this deal. Indeed, I along 
with many of my colleagues would have preferred to see an extension of 
long-term unemployment benefits, which has a very direct and 
significant benefit on more than 1 million families and our national 
and local economies. Every dollar of assistance generates $1.64 in 
economic activity in the community. Sadly, it was not addressed here, 
but we will continue to push the Speaker to bring it up separately to 
help those still struggling to find work.
  Congress faces many more serious challenges in the coming weeks and 
months, including the need to raise the debt ceiling, renew long-term 
transportation funding, and reform our broken immigration system. 
Perhaps this bipartisan breakthrough will provide the model we need to 
avoid the ``my-way-or-the-highway'' shutdown brand of politics that has 
characterized the Republican philosophy of governance for the last 
three years.

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