First District DFL Congressman Tim Walz joined four other members of Minnesota's delegation on Thursday voting in favor of a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown.
That deal, negotiated a week ago by the White House and congressional leaders, cuts $38 billion in spending for this budget cycle. In an interview, Walz said while he is not a fan of everything in the proposal, he wanted to make sure the nation did not face a government shutdown.
"While not totally pleased, I am more than happy to meet them (Republicans), I would argue better than halfway, and get the country going forward," he said. "But I want my Republican friends to start talking about a balanced approach, and I think that is the next discussion we need to have."
Joining Walz in voting yes on the budget deal were Republicans John Kline, Erik Paulsen and Democrats Betty McCollum and Collin Peterson. Voting no were Republicans Michele Bachmann and Chip Cravaack and Democrat Keith Ellison.
Walz said he believes President Obama's proposal to cut the deficit represents a "a great starting point" and a balanced approach by including tax increases on the wealthiest Americans. Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin has outlined his own budget-cutting plan that does not include taxes and instead relies on deeper cuts. Walz said tax increases need to be part of the solution.
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"We can tighten our belt, but I certainly don’t want a myth to be perpetuated that you are going to cut your way out of this by cutting transportation, by cutting services for those most vulnerable and by cutting investments in the future," he said.
