[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16745]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      BIPARTISAN BUDGET AGREEMENT

  (Mr. CONNOLLY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan budget 
agreement that will come before us here in the House soon. It restores 
critical funding for our Nation's defense and domestic priorities in a 
balanced fashion, sparing us from the mindless meat-ax cuts of 
sequestration.
  Under previous Republican budget proposals, spending on domestic 
programs would have fallen to its lowest level in 50 years. It is the 
threat of uncertainty, of those indiscriminate cuts, that has held back 
our economy.
  This agreement also pulls us back from the brink of defaulting on our 
Nation's credit. Although I am astounded at how some of our colleagues 
continue to advocate for such a catastrophe, it would send a shock wave 
through the global economy. We avert that in this agreement.
  Mr. Speaker, governing is about the art of compromise. Today's 
agreement, not perfect, represents that principle. I hope your 
successor and, frankly, more of the Members on your side of the aisle, 
will embrace that spirit moving forward in this Congress so, once 
again, we can start delivering for the American people.

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