Source: Tom Williams / Getty
INDIANAPOLIS — Congress avoided a government shutdown on Saturday right as time was expiring to get a deal through both chambers and President Biden’s desk.
The spending plan essentially gives lawmakers an extension to work out a more long-term spending plan. This deal will keep the government open for 45-days and gives funding to all federal agencies that need it.
It also includes recovery money for places recently hit by natural disasters in the U.S. including areas along the east coast impacted by flooding from recent tropical storms and hurricanes.
Indiana’s delegation in Congress was mostly split on the plan. Representatives Jim Baird, Larry Buschon, Eric Houchin, Andre Carson, and Frank Mrvan voted in favor of the measure in the House. Victoria Spartz, Jim Banks, Greg Pence, and Rudy Yakym voted against it.
In the Senate, Todd Young was a “yes” and Mike Braun was a “no.”
“This deal has more money, actually more money than Nancy Pelosi gave to Biden, but doesn’t have a plan to deal with the country’s crushing debt,” Spartz said on All Indiana Politics. “(The debt) is a very important national security issue, but unfortunately Republicans didn’t have the backbone to put it forward.”
The plan has also eliminated any more financial support for Ukraine. Spartz, as someone born in Ukraine, said she is fine with that.
“Republicans are willing to support Ukrainian people fighting the war, but we also have to make sure we protect the American people,” she said.
Democrats are demanding that more aid for Ukraine be re-added to a long-term bill come November.
The spending plan has fueled criticism from within his own party of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R). Rep. Matt Gaetz has renewed a push to garner support for his ousting as speaker. Spartz said she is “open-minded”
on the idea of removing McCarthy.
On Monday, Spartz released a statement threatening to resign if no debt commission is passed once Congress reconsiders spending once the 45-day stop-gap runs out.
“I’ve done many very difficult things being one woman standing many times with many very long hours and personal sacrifices, but there is a limitation to human capacity. If Congress does not pass a debt commission this year to move the needle on the crushing national debt and inflation, at least at the next debt ceiling increase at the end of 2024, I will not continue sacrificing my children for this circus with a complete absence of leadership, vision, and spine. I cannot save this Republic alone.”
