Press Release

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on several budget proposals today and passed a Republican budget proposal with extra spending on defense 219 to 208. Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. made the following comment:

"We owe it to the American people to work together, taking ideas from both parties, to craft a budget that reins in wasteful spending and deals with our debt, makes smart investments in infrastructure, education, and innovation to grow our economy, and strengthens important lifelines like Social Security and Medicare. Unfortunately, none of the proposals we voted on today accomplished that goal, but were instead one-sided, political exercises that I could not support. I remain optimistic that we can come together to solve this country's pressing challenges and will continue to fight for the pragmatic, responsible solutions that Sacramento County families deserve."

Bera has led the fight to pass a responsible, bipartisan budget. He's working to pass a permanent No Budget No Pay, which says if Congress doesn't do its job and pass a responsible budget, they don't get paid. In 2013, he helped pass a version of the law, and for the first time in years the House and Senate passed a budget. The resulting bipartisan Murray Ryan budget agreement, a bill Bera supported, was eventually signed into law. In December, Bera also supported the "Cromnibus," a bipartisan budget that funds the government through the end of September.

Bera has represented Sacramento County in Congress since 2013. Born and raised in California, he is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He's fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our country's debt in a responsible way. One of Bera's first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress don't pass a budget, they don't get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, he's working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nation's challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow @RepBera on Twitter, like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visit https://www.bera.house.gov.