Congressman Henry Cuellar voted on Thursday in favor of a common sense budget deal that funds the government for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and prevents another government shutdown. 

The deal, brokered by Democratic and Republican representatives from the House and Senate, ends years of partisan over the budget and is a positive and hopeful example of both parties coming together in a compromise.  This agreement does not include everything, but it is a good bipartisan effort that ends the gridlock and is the type of effort that should continue in Washington. 

“With this deal, we have broken through the partisan rancor that has defined Washington for the past few years and removed the threat of another government shutdown,” said Congressman Cuellar.  “In fact, this is the first budget deal passed in a divided government since 1986.  I congratulate Democratic and Republican leadership for working together to develop legislation that benefits and protects the American people, including federal workers, students, veterans, and the middle class."

Key aspects of the deal include:

• Replacement of a portion of the across the board cuts known as sequestration for defense and non-defense programs

• Medicare and Social Security remain intact

• Relief for doctors facing Medicare reimbursement payment cuts