April 14, 2011

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) voted for legislation (H.R. 1473) that will fund the federal government for the rest of Fiscal Year 2011. This budget passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 260-167. It must still pass the Senate before it can be signed into law.

"This bipartisan budget represents one of the largest spending cuts our country has seen since World War II. I worked to ensure that this budget would cut spending without jeopardizing our ability to care for our nation's veterans, secure our borders, and support our military. I also fought to make sure that this budget would maintain funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Programs, which helps many of our local fire departments buy the equipment that they need to protect our communities.

"Recognizing that fiscal responsibility begins at home, I am pleased that this budget cuts Congressional offices' budgets in addition to an already enacted five percent cut which I supported earlier this year. This budget also eliminates spending for wasteful initiatives such as the development of the F-35 alternative engine, a project that I have consistently opposed.

"This budget is a step towards setting our country on a fiscally responsible path for the future. Going forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues to forge more bipartisan agreements that will help us rein in the deficit, balance the budget, and foster long-term economic growth."