Oregon lawmakers react to ending of the longest government shutdown in history
Spencer Sacks
(Adding vote total from House of Representatives Vote)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After 42 days, the longest government shutdown is over and the government will be reopening.
This comes after the Senate passed a continuing resolution over the weekend. Its has led to some controversy as some Democrats say that it doesn’t do anything to address extending Affordable Care Act tax credits.
The House members are back in D.C., and after two hours of debate, they’ve voted to reopen the government. By a vote of 222-209 with 6 Democrats voting yea and 2 Republicans voting no.
After several long weeks, the Senate passed a bill funding the Government through January 20th.
Most notably left out of the agreement was a decision on the expiring “Affordable Care Act” tax credits, also known as Obamacare.
Earlier today KTVZ spoke with both Oregon Senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as fifth district Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, who were vocal about this controversial deal.
Senator Wyden told KTVZ News, “I said it at the outset. I wouldn’t support a bill that fails to lower health costs for Oregonians.”
“It’s really important to stand together, against kind of the tyranny that Trump is imposing on the nation. That was undercut by the eight folks, who struck this side deal,” Senator Merkley told KTVZ News. “The Senate held together for 40 days. But, I wish we could have held together longer.”
Rep. Bynum told KTVZ News “Republicans control the House. They control the Senate. They control the White House, and some would argue they control the Judiciary. It is really important for everybody to recognize that if Republicans wanted to deal with health care, they would have. They have not and I think that tells you all that you need to know.”
All three Democrats that KTVZ spoke to today said they hope that when the temporary funding runs out in January, we will not go back into another shutdown.
KTVZ has reached out to Representative Cliff Bentz and will be speaking to him tomorrow.