U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today voted for the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, a budget agreement that breaks the gridlock that has gripped Congress and averts a government default.

“This landmark budget agreement will help provide an economic boost to hard-working families and our entire community,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “The bipartisan agreement will boost jobs and investments tied to medical research at Moffitt and USF, to education at local schools and colleges, to national defense at MacDill AFB and much more.

“Thanks to President Obama's leadership, Republican Speaker Boehner's willingness to reach across the aisle, and Democrats' vociferous advocacy for Medicare and Social Security, the bipartisan budget agreement breaks a major impasse that had stalled progress on many issues for months,” U.S. Rep. Castor continued. “The bill protects Medicare and Social Security and incorporates safeguards from a bill I cosponsored that heads off significant hikes to Medicare Part B."

In addition, the servicemen and women in our community and our national security depend on long-term, predictable funding. Last month, U.S. Rep. Castor wrote to House Leadership urging a budget agreement that supports our military personnel and their missions:  “They [MacDill’s leaders] are unable to effectively and confidently plan for military operations due to the threat of government shutdown and a Continuing Resolution.” Her letter continued, “they also advise that the inability to plan, to execute timely contracts and to understand the direction of Congress ends up costing them critical resources.”

Underscoring this concern and the bipartisan nature of today’s budget agreement is a statement which Rep. Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio) wrote to a group of more than 100 pro-military Republicans, also urging them to support the legislation. “A two-year deal will provide the Department of Defense with the certainty it needs to plan for and execute its missions around the world.” Rep. Turner chairs the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, which is tasked with oversight of procurement and R&D programs to ensure that America’s soldiers and airmen are fully equipped to carry out their mission and keep our nation safe.

U.S. Rep. Castor added:  “Hard-working families can breathe easier as the costly Washington budget gridlock is set aside for the benefit of America. Democrats held firm and successfully prevailed to lift the arbitrary sequester caps on our national security and on our vital domestic needs in equal measure.  In the face of GOP chaos, Democrats stayed united and joined with the President and a retiring Speaker to move the country forward."

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