WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Lisa
Murkowski today expressed relief Capitol Hill lawmakers reached an 11th
hour budget agreement to keep the federal government running, but questioned
the politics of the process, asking “Why did it take so long?”
Weeks of negotiations culminated
late Friday night with a deal between the U.S. House of Representatives,
Senate, and the President – as leadership compromised on a budget for the
remainder of the 2011 fiscal year containing $39 billion in cuts. They also
agreed on a continuing resolution through Thursday with additional cuts while
the long-term budget details are worked out.
“While I’m glad the parties got
together on a budget, I think I share the same question most Americans have:
Why did it take so long?” asked Murkowski. “These conversations could have and
should have happened weeks ago, rather than putting hundreds of thousands of
Americans’ paychecks at risk.”
“I know that the government
governs best that governs the least, but that doesn’t mean we don’t govern at
all. Alaska and America deserve better.”
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