Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Votes to Pass Bipartisan Budget Compromise, Provide Relief from Harsh Cuts

Press Release

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today voted for a budget compromise that will provide relief from across-the-board budget cuts and manufactured crises. The bipartisan bill passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 332-94.

"Today, Congress came together to pass a bipartisan budget compromise that is a modest step in the right direction as it provides some relief from the harsh effects of arbitrary sequester cuts, as well as the threat of another government shutdown," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. "Though the deal was far from perfect, no amendments were allowed prior to the vote for final passage, and I am disappointed with certain provisions that unfairly burden military retirees and airline travelers in Hawaii, I was compelled to vote yes on this measure because the consequence of not reaching a budget compromise would have been devastating to our economy, our families, our military, and federal workers. This is a positive step toward bringing back certainty and stability to our country, and averting preventable crises like another government shutdown which negatively affected Hawai`i disproportionately more than most of the country.

"In today's divided government, we have to focus on collaborating, working together, so that we can work out our differences and deliver results that are in the best interest of the American people. This is critically important as we work toward realistic, long-term solutions to the economic challenges we are facing across the country.

"I am still very concerned about some of the arbitrary budget cuts that remain in place, and certain provisions of this bill that will unfairly burden inter-island travelers and people in Hawai"i. In particular, the significant hike in the Aviation Passenger Security Fee is harmful because so many of our residents rely on air travel to get to work, access healthcare, and visit loved ones on other islands. I am working towards an exemption to this fee hike, as Congress has granted previously in Hawai"i for programs such as the Essential Air Service and other air transportation charges."

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 sets discretionary, or non-mandatory, spending at $1.012 trillion, about halfway between the Senate and House budgets. The compromise provides $63 billion over two years in relief from across-the-board budget cuts, split evenly between Defense and non-Defense programs.

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