Representatives vote to delay hard budget choices

U.S. Reps. Bustos, D-East Moline, and Kinzinger, R-Manteno, voted to allow the federal government to continue borrowing through the spring.

The current legislation would permit Treasury borrowing to exceed the limit of $16.4 trillion through May 18. The Senate will take up the measure next.

In a statement, Bustos said the legislation was "another in a long line of short-term fixes that unfortunately doesn't address our looming long-term fiscal challenges.

"However, like working families do across our region, I believe the United States has an obligation to pay its bills," Bustos said. "I also believe that, like those same families, Congress needs to do its job by passing a budget that reflects the right priorities and live within it."

In his statement, Kinzinger said one of the most important roles of the federal government is to implement a budget.

"As a result, the House is putting an end to the Senate's negligence and passed legislation that requires both the House and Senate to pass a budget," he said. "If we fail to do so, Congress won't receive a paycheck."

Bustos represents the 17th Congressional District, which includes all of Whiteside County. Kinzinger represents the 16th Congressional District, which includes Lee County.

Bustos named to subcommittees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos received appointments to subcommittees this week.

Bustos, a Democrat from East Moline, was recently appointed to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Agriculture.

She represents the 17th Congressional District, which includes all of Whiteside County.

Bustos was appointed to the Farm Commodities and Risk Management subcommittee and the Livestock and Rural Development subcommittee.

The Farm Commodities subcommittee focuses on programs and markets related to soybeans, corn, feed grains and other crops grown throughout the state, according to the release.

The Livestock subcommittee focuses on livestock, dairy, poultry, meat and other commodities.

Bustos also was appointed to the Aviation subcommittee and the Highways and Transit subcommittees of the Committee on Transportation.