U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)
As the U.S. Senate nears a vote on a federal budget deal, one member of Wisconsin’s delegation is indicating he will support the proposal. In a statement, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson said he will vote for the agreement passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, which was brokered by Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA).
Johnson said “Funding the federal government through successive continuing resolutions is a bad idea that only results in greater inefficiencies, waste and economic uncertainty. It is a practice that should end. The budget deal struck by Paul Ryan and Patty Murray is no “grand bargain,” but I credit Paul with understanding that a grand bargain is not possible at this point in time.”
AUDIO: Sen. Ron Johnson (1:48)
Johnson said the deal is a limited agreement that will help prevent additional government shutdowns through the end of the 2015 fiscal year, while providing executive agencies and Congress a chance to prioritize spending and eliminate duplicative programs.
While Johnson admits he disagrees with several provisions in the bill, he notes that “on balance the good outweighs the bad. As long as the Senate does nothing to worsen the bill, I intend to support it.”
Wisconsin’s other U.S. Senator, Tammy Baldwin (D), also plans to support the bill. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later this week.