For the Reporter

The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved, 332-94, a two-year bipartisan budget framework Thursday that will eliminate the threat of a government shutdown and modestly reduce the deficit over the next decade.

Nearly equal numbers of Republicans, 169, and Democrats, 163, supported the agreement.

The agreement sets top-line federal spending figures through fiscal year 2015 and partially alleviates unpopular spending cuts known as the sequester. Federal spending on defense and domestic programs will be capped at $1.012 trillion in fiscal year 2014, and $1.014 trillion for fiscal year 2015.

It does not affect spending on entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

After its passage, U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-District 8), of Auburn, issued the following statement:

“I am proud to join my colleagues today in passing legislation that will give Americans the first government budget passed by both houses of Congress since 2009. While there is still much work to be done to truly get our financial situation in order, the bill is a positive step in the right direction.

“The agreement takes decisive action to reduce the deficit, eases the impact of the sequester, and places no new tax burdens on the American people. Instead of the indiscriminate, across-the-board cuts of the sequester, the bill eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse in current government programs. For example, the bill includes provisions from the Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee, which I chair, that would improve the collection of unemployment insurance overpayments and take steps to make sure that inmates aren’t receiving government benefits while in jail.

“Additionally, it gives stability to the budget and appropriations process by removing the threat of a government shutdown on the horizon. This will allow us to move forward and address other critical issues such as the need for comprehensive tax reform and immigration reform, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on those issues.”