On Friday, February 9, 2018, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement on her vote to pass the bipartisan budget deal and fund the Government through Friday, March 23, 2018.
“For months, I have called for Washington to come together on real bipartisan solutions, that work for hardworking families in Illinois and across the Country,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “While this deal is far from perfect, I’m glad both sides were able to reach an agreement to end the budget gridlock. The deal funds critical Community Health Centers; the Children’s Health Insurance Program; the fight against the opioid crisis; disaster assistance. It further lifts the current limit on defense spending, which protects our Armed Forces; strengthens the Rock Island Arsenal; supports Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Wing; bolsters Rockford’s aerospace and logistics industry.
“I am deeply disappointed in Speaker Paul Ryan’s inability to do anything to address expiring protections for Dreamers who need our support now. They deserve a vote. The people we serve sent us here to get results, not gridlock…. I am confident we could pass a bill today with a strong bipartisan vote, if he would only let us debate this issue. There can be no more excuses. I urge Speaker Ryan to seize this moment of bipartisanship and bring this issue to a vote.”