Who voted for the budget bill?
President Barack Obama signed the "debt ceiling bill" on Tuesday but the arguments are not over.
Groups are attacking the bill because of cuts to reduce federal government spending by $1 trillion in 10 years.
To keep the government running, the bill allows the Treasury to increase the national debt by $400 billion - meaning we can borrow more from foreign countries like China and Russia.
It has been a hard fought battle with rhetoric slung from both sides of the aisle, pundits and know-it-all celebrities. It has been part of the national discussion in probably every home and workplace. But it's done - for now.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., voted for the bill in the senate.
Our Congressional representative voted for the bill. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Fourth District, issued a statement about why he did.
"(Aug. 1) the House of Representatives passed the Budget Control Act, a two-step approach to hold President Obama accountable on our nations mounting debt problem. This bill cuts government spending more than it increases the debt limit, averts a credit default, caps federal spending, and paves the way for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. This nation has a debt crisis, not because we are under-taxed but because Washington spends too much," stated Hastings.
"This bill has zero tax increases, includes $917 billion in cuts to government spending - which means more cuts than increases to the debt ceiling, guarantees a vote on the balanced budget amendment, and imposes caps that set stringent limits on future spending. This bill is not perfect but it protects our economy and achieves spending cuts and a vote on a balanced budget amendment that would not be achievable otherwise with Democrat control of the White House and Senate. The American people need real leadership to balance our budget for the well being of our nation and for future generations."
Agree or disagree - it's your right, but we thought we would share our representative's thoughts.
- Editorial board