WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement after competing bills to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year were both defeated in the Senate:
“The votes today illustrate that a balance must be struck between cutting spending and taking actions that would cost jobs, hurt economic growth and hurt local communities.
“It is clear that Washington must cut spending and we must create jobs to grow the economy. Investments must be made to help the economy and our people grow. Is it a good idea to cut hundreds of millions of dollars for local law enforcement? Is it a good idea to cut $1 billion for medical research that fuels economic growth in Pennsylvania?
“I hope that negotiations will continue to reach agreement on a FY11 budget so a government shutdown can be avoided and we can move on to the budget for next year.”
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