DelBene Supports Bipartisan ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement regarding her vote Tuesday on the bipartisan budget proposal to protect our nation’s economic recovery and provides tax relief for working families: 

“While not the perfect deal, Congress was able to finally come together with a bipartisan proposal that prevents the most damaging consequences of the fiscal cliff from hitting millions of American families and small businesses.

“Today’s deal saves over 98 percent of Americans from seeing their income taxes go up, extends tax credits for working families and unemployment benefits for millions of people looking for work. It provides greater economic certainty for families and businesses and will help our economy grow. It also is a first step towards getting our overall fiscal house in order.

“What’s today’s deal thankfully does not do is make harmful, draconian, across the board cuts which could have stalled our fragile economic recovery and hurt millions of working families, veterans and seniors who count on critical services.

“But there is still much work to do. I still firmly believe the only way we will build a foundation for long-term economic growth is by taking a balanced approach to our budget that includes comprehensive tax reform and reigning in our spending to reduce our deficit. 

“So while we have prevented the worst from happening, we must re-double our efforts in the 113th Congress to address our long-term budget issues and passing policies that help working families, spur job growth and ensure economic opportunity for all.”

Democrat Suzan DelBene, of Medina, was elected in November to represent Washington's new 1st District, which stretches from Redmond and Woodinville to the Canadian border and includes both tech-savvy suburbs and large expanses of farmland. 

*Editor's Note: Information provided by Suzan DelBene.