03/26/13 Saturday morning, Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement after voting in favor of the Senate budget proposal.
“I think we need to cut spending and make changes to our tax code as we work our way back to a balanced budget. The budget proposal I voted for today is not perfect, but it is balanced: it would cut spending by nearly $1 trillion and close tax unnecessary loopholes. Even more important, it would not balance the budget by turning Medicare into a voucher program or by raising taxes on middle class families.
“There is no issue greater than getting more Hoosiers back to work, so I was pleased to vote for two important amendments during this debate, both of which passed the Senate, to help create jobs for Hoosiers. I was joined by every Republican senator and 32 of my Democratic colleagues in voting to repeal the medical device tax, which is inhibiting the growth of some of Indiana’s most important jobs creators. I also supported a bipartisan amendment advocating for the construction of the Keystone Pipeline, which would create tens of thousands of jobs and help lessen our dependence on foreign oil. I will continue focusing on job creation when I travel across Indiana next week meeting with community leaders to discuss how we can continue to grow our state’s economy.
“Now it is time for both parties to come to the table to make the tough choices necessary to further cut spending and move toward a balanced budget as we aim to create a stronger country for our children and grandchildren.”
