DelBene says House budget bill ‘positive first step’

U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the the recent House approval of a bipartisan two-year budget agreement a “positive first step” in in reaching a long-term budget that provides families and businesses certainty.

“I came to Congress to get results and work towards compromises that will allow us to make progress on the biggest challenges facing our nation,” said Del Bene, who represents the state’s 1st Congressional District that includes Medina and the Points communities.

DelBene added that the budget, “lifts the damaging spending caps caused by sequestration, allowing us to make investments in projects like basic research and education that will help us create jobs and grow our economy.”

She praised U.S. Sen. Patty Murray for her efforts to broker the agreement.

DelBene added that she was disappointed that the measure didn’t allowed to vote on a measure to extend unemployment benefits that are set to expire on Dec. 28.

“House Leadership’s unwillingness to take up this issue will hurt millions of unemployed jobseekers and their families – 25,000 of which are from Washington state,” DelBene said.

She also noted that Congress yet must pass a Farm bill, something she said state farmers and families are counting on.

“When Congress returns next year, I will work to urge my colleagues on the Farm Bill Conference Committee to act as quickly as possible to approve a Farm Bill,” DelBene said.