Two Hoosier Republicans Vote to End Shutdown
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA couple of Indiana Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the package to end the partial shutdown of the federal government and avoid default on U.S. debt. The bill passed the chamber last night and was quickly signed by President Barack Obama. Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-3) voted against the proposal, in part because it does not repeal the medical device tax that he says “threatens thousands of Hoosier jobs.” The Indiana votes are as follows:
Yea
Susan Brooks (R-5)
Andre Carson (D-7)
Pete Viscloscky (D-1)
Todd Young (R-9)
Nay
Larry Bucshon (R-8)
Luke Messer (R-6)
Todd Rokita (R-4)
Marlin Stutzman (R-3)
Jackie Walorski (R-2)
Senators Dan Coats (R-IN) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) both voted for the Senate bill that was agreed upon by the House.
October 16, 2013
News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Visclosky Statement on Bipartisan Compromise to
Open the Government & Prevent Default
“I supported the budget agreement reached in the United State Senate in order to reopen the federal government and ensure that our financial obligations are met. For some years, Congress has failed in its responsibility to provide for the predictable and efficient delivery of services and protections important to all Americans. This failure has reduced the effectiveness of our government and distracted attention from strengthening our economy and creating good-paying jobs. Despite past disappointments, I am committed to working hard with all of my colleagues to use this temporary respite as a real opportunity to comprehensively address our national budget in a balanced fashion, and to achieve the reasoned and timely completion of all Fiscal Year 2014 funding measures with an emphasis on investing in our economy.” Congressman Visclosky said.
Source: The Office of Congressman Pete Visclosky
October 16, 2013
News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Todd Rokita released the following statement after the House passed legislation to fund the federal government and extend the statutory debt limit. The bill passed the House 285-144.
“Any increase in the debt ceiling should be offset by real spending reform that puts our nation on track to a balanced budget and begins to pay down our national debt. This bill actually completes a full one-year extension of the debt ceiling without any reduction to our out-of-control spending and is yet another tax put on the children of tomorrow – all so we can have government give us more in the here and now.
Congress had to consider this bad deal because the President and Harry Reid refused to reform or even acknowledge the severity of our fiscal problems. As the Budget Conference Committee goes forward, I hope we can have an intellectually honest discussion about the debt that sets aside the fear tactics and hysterics of the last few weeks. Our nation’s $17 trillion and growing debt is gravely dangerous to our economic security, our national security, and future generations.”
The legislation reopened the federal government, providing funding until January 15, 2014, and extended the statutory borrowing limit, or debt ceiling until February 7, 2014.
In addition to kicking the can down the road, the bill included $174,000 for Senator Lautenberg's widow, an apparent tradition when a Member of Congress dies, with no basis in federal statute.
Source: The Office of Congressman Todd Rokita
October 16, 2013
News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN) released the following statement after voting in favor of legislation to prevent default and open the goverment:
“I believe surpassing the debt ceiling would harm Hoosier families, adversely affect the stock market and damage America’s position on the global stage. Default puts Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid payments at risk and could trigger another downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. I did not come to Congress to perpetuate this type of uncertainty. Governing is about making responsible choices. I believe voting to prevent a default on our debt and open our government is the responsible choice.
I remain committed to reducing our national debt and protecting Americans from the President's failed healthcare law. The bill I voted for today gets us closer to accomplishing these goals by requiring bicameral budget negotiations, preserving Budget Control Act (BCA) spending cuts and ensuring income verification will be enforced for individuals receiving Obamacare subsidies.
This plan is far from perfect but it achieves meaningful progress by requiring budget negotiations to begin in earnest, giving us a real opportunity to put our country on a path to fiscal stability. Both sides must now come together to fix our broken budget process, eliminate wasteful spending, increase efficiency and lower our $16.7 trillion national debt. Senator Reid and his colleagues must come to the table ready to admit the status quo is no longer acceptable.”
The legislation funds the government through January 15, 2014 at the $986 billion level established through the BCA and suspends the debt ceiling until February 7, 2014. It forces the President to verify income levels of Obamacare participants, a provision of the law the Administration previously decided not to enforce which will save an estimated $250 billion in fraudulent payments. It also sets up bicameral budget negotiations that must conclude by December 13. The measure passed the House this evening.
Source: The Office of Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks
October 16, 2013
News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman issued the following statement today regarding the Senate's legislation to re-open the government and avoid a default:
“Hoosier families are struggling under the weight of Obamacare's job-killing mandates and the nation's crushing $17 trillion debt. This bill does nothing to provide relief of those issues or end special treatment for Members of Congress under Obamacare and therefore I will oppose it.”
Background:
-Unlike yesterday's proposal by House Republicans, the Senate bill does not include provisions to eliminate ObamaCare's tax subsidies for Members of Congress, congressional staff, the President, and Cabinet officials.
-The Senate bill also lacks provisions to either eliminate or delay ObamaCare’s medical device tax which threatens thousands of Hoosier jobs.
Source: The Office of Congressman Marlin Stutzman
October 16, 2013
News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Larry Bucshon (IN-08) released the following statement regarding the Senate debt deal that failed to address the long-term trajectory of spending, achieve deficit reduction, and include reforms to ObamaCare.
Rep. Bucshon said:
“I firmly believe the United States should not default on its payments and I have worked to avoid the prospect of default; however, I could not support this legislation. The Senate debt deal does not offer any real solutions to address the challenges we face as a nation. The final deal failed to achieve any deficit reduction or to cut spending, nor did it include any substantial changes to ObamaCare, including a delay of the individual mandate or repeal of the onerous medical device tax.
“It's estimated this year, that the average Hoosier will pay 72 percent more for their healthcare, while big business received a break from the Obama administration and Indiana's 300 medical device companies expect to layoff over 2,000 employees because of the medical device tax. This is unacceptable and it is shameful that President Obama and Democrats in Washington, D.C. forced a shutdown and possible default only to preserve every aspect of the President's unaffordable, unfair healthcare law.
“This legislation is merely the byproduct of a dysfunctional, Democrat-run Washington, D.C. that would rather kick the c