Booker Bashes Deal to End Government Shutdown

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in a tweet tonight expressed his opposition to an emergent Senate deal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

"As I've always said, I will not support a government funding bill that continues to raise our costs, jeopardizes our health care, and hurts the people of my state," Booker wrote. "I’m urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up for Americans who are counting on us to lower their costs, and address the urgent, and–in too many cases–dire challenges people are facing in our country. I will not let up in this fight. I will vote no."

Several of Booker's Democratic colleagues disagree, according to Axios.

At least 10 Senate Democrats [it turned out to be eight: Dick Durbin of Illinois, Angus King of Maine (an independent who caucuses with Democrats), Tim Kaine of Virginia, John Fetterman of Pa., Jeanne Shaheen of N.H., Maggie Hassan of N.H., Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Jacky Rosen (NV)] are poised to support a procedural motion to advance a package of spending bills and a short-term funding measure through the end of January, multiple sources from both parties told Axios.

According to The Hill:

A group of centrist Democrats led by Sens. Angus King (Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), negotiated the deal to reopen government with Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and the Senate GOP leadership.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he will vote for it. “I have long said that to earn my vote, we need to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ health care mess and to protect the federal workforce,” said Kaine. “This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will.”

 

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