Heinrich Statement On Sequestration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after voting to allow the Senate to at least consider the American Family Economic Protection Act, the Democratic proposal to replace arbitrary and dangerous spending cuts known as “sequestration.” The bill is now dead because a procedural motion to bring the bill to the Senate floor failed to garner 60 votes, although 51 Democrats voted in favor.   

“Pairing sensible spending reductions with reasonable revenue increases is the only responsible way for us to confront our long-term fiscal problems. The Democratic proposal I supported today is not a permanent solution, but it would have averted thousands of layoffs, funded vital services for children, seniors, military families, and it avoided crippling our economy. But some Congressional Republicans want to force the country into deep spending cuts that could damage our economy and security rather than ask the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share.

“Limping from one self-made crisis to another is no way to govern. The people of New Mexico, and people across the country, deserve better from their elected representatives, and I hope Democrats and Republicans can come together to workout real and stable solutions.”