As a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association with an “A+” rating for her voting record in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Debra Maggart never imagined that her political career would end this way.Eight Hoosier congressmen – including Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-3rd – voted Wednesday in favor of suspending the $16.4 trillion national borrowing limit through May 18.
The measure passed 285-144 in the Republican-majority House. Eighty-six Democrats joined 199 Republicans in approving the legislation, while 33 Republicans and 111 Democrats voted against it.
All seven Hoosier Republicans favored delaying action on raising the debt limit, as did Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-1st. Rep. Andre Carson, D-7th, opposed the proposal.
The bill would require both the House and the Senate to pass budget resolutions for fiscal year 2014 before April 16 or else their pay would be held in escrow until they do.
Stutzman noted in a floor speech that it has been four years since Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., last called for a vote on a budget proposal in that chamber.
:You could build the Pentagon three times in that time frame,” Stutzman said. “It’s time to pass a budget out of the United States Senate, and Sen. Reid should not be paid until it’s done.
“The House has acted responsibly. We’ve met our deadlines. We’ve set our priorities."
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Reid said the Senate will vote on the House legislation. Also, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray, D-Wash., announced that Senate Democrats will produce a budget proposal.
