The House on Friday passed legislation that defunds ObamaCare but would keep the government running through mid-December.
The legislation was approved on a party line 230-189 vote, with Rep. Scott Rigell (Va.) the only GOP no vote. Two Democrats voted for the measure, Reps. Jim Matheson (Utah) and Mike McIntyre (N.C.).
Passage of the bill sets up a showdown with the Senate, and moves the two sides closer to a possible government shutdown Oct. 1.
The ObamaCare language is expected to be stripped from the bill in the Senate, setting up a critical week of negotiations next week. House Republicans have canceled a planned recess to return to Washington Wednesday, and their leaders have warned the House could be in next weekend.
Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) bowed to conservatives in deciding to include the healthcare language in the continuing resolution. Republicans in the House had rejected an earlier proposal from their leaders that would have funded the government without defunding ObamaCare.
Republicans opposed to the effort had warned that if the government does shutdown, the healthcare strategy would make it easier for Democrats to blame Republicans if there is a shutdown. Some in both parties see a shutdown as the one thing that could lead Democrats to win back a House majority next year.
Read more.
Link to Roll Call Vote – click here