The United States Capitol. (Photo: Architect of the Capitol)
Jan. 19, 2024 by David Silverberg
In a vote yesterday, Jan. 18, that ultimately kept the federal government funded and running until March 1 and March 8 respectively, two out of three of Southwest Florida’s congressional representatives voted to shut down the government, while Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-26-Fla.) dissented.
The bill, House Resolution (HR) 2872, a continuing resolution (CR) but misleadingly named the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013 in the House, passed by an overwhelming vote of 314 to 108, with 207 Democrats and 107 Republicans voting for it. One hundred six Republicans and two Democrats opposed it.
The bill first passed the Senate on a vote of 77 to 18, with five senators not voting. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) voted for it. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) did not vote.
Reps. Byron Donalds (R-19-Fla.) and Greg Steube (R-17-Fla.) voted against the bill.
The bill had been opposed by the extreme Make America Great Again (MAGA) Freedom Caucus of which Donalds is a member.
At 4:30 pm, just prior to the vote, Donalds issued an X statement: “We have a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY right now to actually win the political argument of the day: Should government remain open & prioritizing Ukraine funding over border security? The ONLY WAY to change behavior in DC is with money. You don't change it with letters & talking points.”
Neither Steube nor Diaz-Balart issued statements immediately before or after the vote.
The CR provides funding for four agencies covered by four appropriations bills that were set to lapse today. Eight more bills were set to expire on Feb. 2 but will now have appropriations until March 8. It was the product of a compromise between Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-4-La.).
The bill was immediately sent to President Joe Biden for signature.
Liberty lives in light
© 2024 by David Silverberg