Congressman Andy Barr (KY-6) today voted for H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.
“While I have deep reservations about the process by which this agreement was negotiated and several of the provisions, I believe that, on balance, the Bipartisan Budget Act is a step in the right direction,” said Congressman Barr. “Most importantly, this agreement strengthens our national security and provides much needed certainty and stability to our military at a time of increased volatility and threats around the world. My recent meetings with General MacFarland in Iraq and General Campbell in Afghanistan reinforced my strong belief that national security is the most important responsibility of the federal government. But under this Commander in Chief, our military has suffered repeated cuts. This budget will end this dangerous deterioration in our national defense and ensure our troops have the tools they need to keep us safe.”
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 will produce net savings of $75.6 billion over ten years. The plan sets discretionary spending levels at $56 billion less in 2016 and $70 billion less in 2017 than the House-passed Ryan budget of 2011.
The agreement also trades short-term discretionary sequester relief for long-term recurring and compounding savings in mandatory spending, including $168 billion in reforms to the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, which would otherwise go bankrupt as early as next year. This budget also prevents a 52 percent spike in Medicare Part B premiums for seniors. And importantly, by setting spending levels through the remainder of President Obama’s term, it prevents the President from continuing to play political games through the budget process as he has with other legislation, such as last week’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act.