U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding her vote on the bipartisan deficit reduction agreement:

“Medicare, Social Security and Pell grants are protected in the bipartisan compromise. Our great nation avoids default and we reduce the debt. Despite the efforts of tea party extremists to put the economy at risk and dismantle America’s fundamental promise of Medicare, reasonable members of both parties came together to avoid a default and reduce the deficit.

“The compromise protects the Pell grant for college students that I have fought for as an investment in education and jobs for our community.  The maximum Pell award remains at $5,500, helping more than 9 million students achieve the dream of attending college, including students at the University of South Florida, University of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College, St. Pete College and across the country.

“As most of my neighbors would agree, the bill should have eliminated special interest tax loopholes in order to achieve more meaningful debt reduction.  Now, the focus must return to creating jobs and getting the economy back on track, while we keep a close eye on future attempts by some in the GOP to unravel Medicare and Social Security.”