Sixteen days after a government shutdown began and less than 24 hours from when the United States would be unable to pay its debts, the legislature has approved a compromise bill that will put the government back to work.
But U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) was one of 144 House Republicans to vote against the compromise.
“I voted 'no' tonight,” Denham said in a statement, posted to his Facebook page. “My priority is finding a long-term plan to end our out-of-control spending, which has left each man, woman and child in our country on the hook for over $50,000 of debt as we reach our $17 trillion debt limit. The American people deserve long-term solutions to stop the spending, stop running up the debt and give real certainty to families across the country and the financial markets so we can get back on a path to economic success and job growth.”
Only 87 House Republicans voted in favor of the compromise, joined by all 198 House Democrats.
The compromise passed the house by a 285-144 vote. It passed the Senate by an 81-18 vote.
The short-term bill will fund the government until Jan. 15, and extend the debt ceiling until Feb. 7. The bill requires legislators to begin working on long-term solutions, though, with a bipartisan committee tasked with developing a budget by Dec. 13.
The bill also includes one minor Democrat concession on the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Incomes muse now be verified to receive health care subsidies from the government.
The shutdown started when House Republicans sought to defund the ACA entirely. The Senate would not move forward with that bill.
Ultimately, the compromise bill was drafted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky).
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) said that House Republicans will continue to fight against the ACA.
“Our drive to stop the train wreck that is the President's health care law will continue,” Boehner said in a statement. “We will rely on aggressive oversight that highlights the law's massive flaws and smart, targeted strikes that split the legislative coalition the president has relied upon to force his health care law on the American people.”
