Saturday, October 19, 2013

A message from Senator Jack Reed

My office is once again open and ready to assist Rhode Islanders. 

The American people are rightly upset that their government was shuttered for two weeks and our nation's credit was put at risk due to a committed minority in Congress. I share this concern and am determined to see that it doesn't happen again.

This Wednesday, I was among the 81 U.S. Senators who voted for a common sense agreement to open the government and prevent a default crisis.

The fact that 81 Senators came together proves bipartisanship is possible.


This agreement also sets the stage for broader budget talks between the Senate and House. As these budget negotiations begin in earnest, I will continue to urge my colleagues to pursue policies that focus on jobs, economic growth, and fairness in our tax system, as well as the preservation of hard-earned Medicare and Social Security benefits.

By working together and building consensus, Congress can increase opportunities for the middle class and strengthen our economic future. But it must stop waiting until the last minute. Both sides will have to reach principled compromises. While we can have honest disagreements, using procedural tactics to block consensus won't help America achieve long-term economic growth.

We're all in this together. Please let me know your thoughts on how we can best move our nation forward and make the government work more effectively for you.

Sincerely,
Jack Reed
United States Senator