Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement on the Senate’s bipartisan agreement to end the government shutdown and prevent a default on our nation’s debt:

“I’m pleased that after weeks of political brinksmanship, Congress is now poised to pass bipartisan legislation that will put an end to this senseless shutdown and lift the threat of default. This isn’t a perfect bill, but it reflects good-faith, bipartisan negotiations and provides a way forward at this late stage. I applaud the bipartisan group of Senators who helped reach this agreement, and urge both chambers of Congress to quickly send this bill to President Obama’s desk. Once it becomes law, Congress needs to immediately return its focus to working together on a long-term, bipartisan plan to reduce the deficit, create jobs, and strengthen the middle class.

“While today’s breakthrough is a critical step forward, Congress shouldn’t pat itself on the back for ending a manufactured crisis it created in the first place. The partisan brinksmanship we’ve seen in recent weeks has hurt families and businesses all across New Hampshire. It was entirely avoidable and we cannot let it happen again. Moving forward, both parties need to come together, put an end to these partisan games, and focus on doing the right thing for our country.”

For weeks, Kuster has been meeting with members of both parties to seek common ground and reach a solution that would end the government shutdown, prevent a default on our nation’s debt, and give both parties time to work on a longer-term deal to reduce the deficit, create jobs, and strengthen the middle class.

###