U.S. Senator Susan Collins released this statement following the announcement of an agreement on a federal budget that avoids a government shutdown.
"It is encouraging that House and Senate leaders, and the President, have finally agreed to a short-term bill that both reduces federal spending and averts an irresponsible government shutdown. This will allow enough time for Congress to pass a fiscally responsible budget to take us through the remainder of the current fiscal year. This bill makes tough decisions and includes the biggest annual spending cut in history, but it also takes into account our nation's priorities and helps protect jobs. I am particularly relieved that, as I have repeatedly urged, this agreement provides funding for our brave troops, who are currently engaged in three wars, and who should not have to worry about receiving the paychecks that they earned.
"This brinkmanship could -- and should -- have been avoided, however. Congress failed to pass any of the funding bills on time last year, thus causing a needless crisis that threatened to shut down the government and disrupted and caused uncertainty in the lives of many Americans.
"Much work remains, including the difficult task of working on a responsible budget for fiscal year 2012. Congress and the Administration must demonstrate to the American people that we are willing to work together in good faith to put our country back on a strong fiscal course."