The Senate's 64-36 vote agreeing to the Bipartisan Budget Act (H.J.Res. 59) demonstrates that members of Congress can work together and opens the door to more cooperation on major issues in 2014, the Business Roundtable says.
As reported by Kent Hoover, The Business Journals, in "Tidings of great joy? Senate passes bipartisan budget deal":
“With this agreement, our nation’s political leaders are demonstrating they can work together across party lines in a spirit of cooperation," said AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson, who is chairman-elect of the Business Roundtable.
Stephenson hopes Congress can keep this momentum going next year by passing comprehensive tax reform, a debt ceiling increase, immigration reform and new trade agreements.
See also Bloomberg, "Budget Deal Easing $63 Billion in Cuts Advances in Senate."
The White House issued a statement from President Obama expressing similar expectations that the agreement sets the stage for congressional action next year.
All told, it’s a good first step away from the shortsighted, crisis-driven decision-making that has only served to act as a drag on our economy. It helps chart our economic course for the next two years, which means that the American people won’t be exposed to another painful and unwise government shutdown.
More ...
- Business Roundtable letter of thanks to members of Congress who voted for the budget agreement.
- BRT statement, "Business Roundtable Applauds Senate Approval of Bipartisan Budget Deal"
- BRT letter urging Senate support for budget agreement