Press release from Congressman Tom Marino:

Tonight, after continued refusals from the Senate to negotiate with House Republicans, the House passed legislation to reopen the federal government though January 15, 2014 and extend the Treasury Department’s borrowing authority through February 7, 2014.

“We were asked to support a bill that does nothing to address out of control spending,” U.S. Representative Tom Marino (PA-10) said. “It does nothing the address the nearly $17 trillion we have racked up in national debt and it does nothing to reverse the train wreck that is Obamacare.”

“I cannot support this short-term fix that does nothing but kick the can farther down the road,” he added.

A last minute deal struck by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell came weeks after House Republicans redoubled their efforts to rein in out-of-control spending, reverse the path that led to an ever-expanding national debt and protect Americans from a healthcare law that will raise taxes and destroy jobs.

“House Republicans were listening to our constituents back home. We pursued a reasonable approach to negotiate with the Senate and the President to find a solution that worked for all Americans,” Marino said.

Prior to the partial government shutdown, which went into effect on October 1, the House passed three continuing resolutions to fund the government – each one compromising more than the previous offer. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid rejected each offer, including a bill to go to conference and negotiate.

After the Senate’s inaction resulted in a partial government shutdown, the House continued to pass narrow bills to continue funding for critical programs and services.

“We sent the Senate nearly twenty bills to lessen the impact of the partial shutdown and even convinced the President to sign a bill ensuring pay for active duty military members,” Marino said.

Again, Harry Reid refused to even consider most of these bills.

“Make no mistake, House Republicans lost this battle,” Marino said, “however, I was sent to Washington cut spending, downsize Washington, and keep taxes low for all Americans. The backdoor deal stuck by leaders in the Senate accomplishes none of this. Nevertheless, the war is far from over.”

While virtually all Republicans – even those who questioned this approach – agree that Obamacare will only lead to higher taxes and fewer jobs, Marino added that both parties must unite and commit to never shutdown down the federal government again.

“Going forward, the President’s healthcare law will fail on its own,” Marino said, “Americans will speak in greater numbers if they want to be freed from the burdens of Obamacare. When the American people speak loud enough, and Democrats are finally willing to work with Republicans to enact comprehensive healthcare reform that actually lowers the cost of insurance coverage, we will be ready to listen.”

Marino vowed to move forward on other priorities – lowering taxes, cutting spending, downsizing the federal government, creating jobs, and achieving energy independence. “House Republicans can develop a positive agenda for the coming year,” Marino said.

“Until public opposition to the President’s agenda results in a Senate willing to negotiate and compromise, the Republican-led House will continue to be a check against wasteful spending, tax hikes and the burdensome regulations this administration will surely look to impose on hardworking, middle class Americans across the country.”