Costello statement on house FY 2011 budget vote

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding today's House vote on H.R. 1473, the budget agreement for fiscal year 2011:

"This afternoon, I voted for the final budget funding the government through the remainder of fiscal year 2011. This bill, which contains nearly $40 billion in spending cuts, brings a much-needed conclusion to this year's budget debate. While I have concerns about some of the cuts in this bill - and the fact that we continue to increase funding for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya - doing nothing is simply not an option. The American people expect us to cut spending and reduce the deficit, and this agreement represents a compromise that moves us forward. As we take up next year's budget and raising the debt limit, it is my hope that we will pursue further reductions carefully without undermining our nation's economic recovery."