Crafting a budget for the federal government is one of the most fundamental duties of the U.S. Congress, and it is a responsibility I take very seriously.

As a member of the House Budget Committee, I am fighting for common sense policies that promote job creation for Massachusetts families by making critical investments in education, small business, and infrastructure while responsibly reducing our debt.

A budget is a reflection of values and priorities. In March, the Republicans released a budget proposal that did not align with my values because it shortchanged our nation’s families, students, and infrastructure. In an effort to improve the Republican budget, I offered two amendments during the Committee’s consideration of the budget. The first amendment would have provided full funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and protected services for our veterans in the event of a government shutdown. The second amendment increased our investment in career and technical education to ensure that students in Massachusetts have the skills to be competitive in a rapidly modernizing workforce. I was disappointed to see both amendments fail in party-line votes, but I remain committed to working with both parties so that we can better support our nation’s veterans and students.

I also work everyday to ensure that our government is smart, productive and accountable. That’s why I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 586, the Government Waste Reduction Act of 2015, which establishes an independent Government Waste Reduction Board tasked with assessing federal programs for efficiency and effectiveness. This bipartisan legislation will provide Congress with vital information to help reduce duplication and waste in government.

As Congress continues to debate various budget proposals, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put out nation on a path of fiscal responsibility.