WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chances of a second partial government shutdown next year is looking less likely with Thursday’s passage of a two-year budget deal.
The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan budget deal by a vote of 332-94 Thursday evening on Capitol Hill.
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito was one of those voting for it and said although it’s not perfect, it’s a good start in the right direction.
“I do think it moves us forward, it prevents future shutdowns, it’s doesn’t raise taxes, it lowers the deficit and it gives us two years of certainty that I think we desperately need,” she said.
Among other things, the budget would restore around $63 million in funding that had been cut by the so-called sequester. Those increases would be offset by a variety of spending reductions and increased fees elsewhere in the budget.
Congressman David McKinley, however, voted against the budget deal citing in a release Thursday the plan reverses the progress that has been made in recent years in reducing the government’s spending.
“It increases spending for the next two years but promises to save money in the future. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office most of the savings would come seven years from now,” McKinley stated.
The deal does call for increases in the deficit, $23.2 billion in 2014 and $18.2 billion the year after that.
“While I applaud the fact that bipartisan discussions on the budget took place for the first time in five years, unfortunately the final product falls short,” McKinley continued. “America’s debt continues to grow, reaching $17.2 trillion. Just like American families, Washington must be serious about living within its means.”
Despite the opposition to the budget deal, Capito is expecting it to be passed by the Senate based upon the results of the House vote. A Senate vote will likely not come until next week.
Capito said the creation and passage of this deal was necessary to regain some confidence from the public.
“People have to be refreshed and relieved that in Washington we’ve laid down our partisanship and we’ve worked together for the greater good,” she said.
Lawmakers have until Jan. 15 to approve a spending plan or otherwise trigger another partial government shutdown.