Rep. Bill Owens’ office says the 23rd District congressman is returning more than $230,000 of his 2010 Congressional office budget to the United States Treasury to help pay down the federal deficit.

This is the second consecutive year that Owens has returned in excess of 15 percent of his annual allotment to the treasury.

“As Upstate New York families and small business owners continue to tighten their belts, so too must every member of Congress,” said Owens.

“We cannot seriously talk about reducing the national debt and deficit without first operating our own offices in a fiscally responsible manner. I am pleased to return this portion of my office budget to the treasury and plan on returning funds again next year.”

This year, Owens voted to pass H.Res 22, a bill that reduced the 2011 office budget for every member of Congress by five percent.