Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) on the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act:

“While this agreement is not perfect, Chairman Ryan did the best job he could in a divided government.  Though I would like to see more progress made on cutting spending and reforming government programs, the Bipartisan Budget Act contains approximately $23 billion in deficit reduction, does so without raising taxes on American families, and exchanges temporary cuts for permanent cuts. In addition, by cutting spending in a smarter way, we will prevent our men and women in uniform from bearing a disproportionate share of budget reductions in the next two years. On top of this, for the first time in years the federal government will finally operate not on a continuing resolution, but on an actual budget, just as Missourians do at home. A budget gives us the chance to cut, eliminate and reform specific programs and agencies while a continuing resolution lets the administration spend money on autopilot.”