Monday, September 30, 2013
2:44 PM
Baldwin, Johnson split as Senate rejects House budget resolution
U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson once again split on a budget vote ahead of a looming federal government shutdown.
The Senate voted 54-46 along party lines this afternoon to reject the House version of a resolution designed to alleviate the shutdown, sending it back to that chamber; Baldwin voted with majority Dems, while Johnson, of Oshkosh, aligned with the GOP in the minority.
The House version, passed over the weekend, included language to delay the Affortable Care Act for one year and to repeal the Obamacare law's tax on medical device manufacturers -- both considered non-starters by both Senate Dem leaders and the White House.
Baldwin, of Madison, tweeted this morning that the House GOP is threatening to hold the economy hostage and is playing political games with "the health of women across the country."
"It's time to move on," Baldwin wrote.
The Wisconsin House delegation split along party lines on the weekend resolution, with all Republicans in favor and all Dems opposed. All eight members, however, joined a unanimous vote on a bill to ensure the military is paid if the government shuts down Tuesday.