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Toomey Joins Conservatives to Oppose Cloture on CR

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Pat Toomey

Senator Pat Toomey joined a small group of conservative Senators including Ted Cruz and Rand Paul in an effort to block cloture on a bill that would prevent a government shutdown.

The Senate voted 79 to 19 to end debate on the budget. This allowed the Senate to vote on a continuing resolution that funds the government through November 15. The Upper House voted 54 to 44 to remove language that would have defunded the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and went on to pass the resolution 54 to 44.

Senator Toomey’s vote against the budget and ACA did not come as a major surprise. However, earlier in the week, he hinted that he would rather dismantle the Affordable Care Act piecemeal instead of shutting down the federal government.

Toomey defended his vote, saying that he had a plan to defund the ACA, also known as Obamacare, without closing the government.

“I sought to offer three modest amendments to the Senate bill. The first would repeal the medical devices tax that is costing Pennsylvania jobs; the second would provide relief from the infringement on religious liberty in Obamacare; the third would delay the individual mandate for one year.”

“Those three items all have bipartisan support, could have passed the Senate, and might well be acceptable to the House. But we will never know because the Democratic leadership would not permit me to offer those amendments. For this reason, and others, I voted against the measure.”

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party quickly pounced on Toomey’s “most radical, obstructionist” vote.

“With his vote, Senator Toomey made it clear that he was part of the most extreme, Tea Party wing of the Republican Party. Senator Toomey’s government shutdown would hurt military families, veterans, seniors, small businesses, and middle class families throughout Pennsylvania,” the party wrote in a statement.

“A government shutdown would put tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians out of work, delay and disrupt Social Security benefits for seniors, and stop loan programs from helping out small businesses.”

Toomey additionally introduced the Military Pay Protection Act in case the House of Representatives votes for a government shutdown.

“[O]ur troops and the civilians who support them shouldn’t suffer if Congress and the White House can’t come to an agreement on how to keep our government running,” Toomey said.

Senator Bob Casey said he opposes a government shutdown. He voted for cloture as well as for the budget and the amendment to remove language to defund Obamacare.

“Some members of Congress appear determined to shut down the government to further a narrow ideological goal,” Casey said. “This isn’t a game and could have serious consequences for Pennsylvanians. Why should one of our state’s veterans wait to receive a disability check so a politician in Washington can play political games? This new fact sheet highlights the serious consequences of a shutdown. Allowing the government to shutdown is unnecessary and wholly irresponsible.”

5 Responses

  1. He is trying to have it both ways. That does not work in politics. The budget should be passed without attaching Obamacare. Obamacare was passed and deemed constitutional by Supreme Court so it is time to move on and help it work for the good of the country.

  2. I think it is irresponsible and shows serious carelessness and concern for the American people by Senator Casey who knows (or should) the exchanges are not ready, some states don’t have navigators trained and other system infrastructures are inadequate for the launch of Obamacare NOW. It doesn’t matter to him or his Democrat colleagues. The accusers are so determined to push their narrow ideology that neither him nor his fellow Democrats are willing to compromise at all.

    Senator Reid is in no rush at all. Over 35 hours ago, Reid let the Press/Media know it won’t pass the Senate. No Negotiations here (no need to he controls his Democrats and they have the majority). Honestly, how serious are they about working toward any common goals for the good of the majority American People. The Democrats are the ones that want to shut down the government. Double talk all they want—this 2:00 pm arrival is pitiful.

    The Democrats in the Senate are the bullies and have been for the last three years. Prior to that it was Triple Bulling (House, Senate, Executive) . It is the only language they know — their way or the highway they don’t care what it means to the American people, the stock markets, paying the American Bills. It is all about what they want.

    Go to the recent polls. The American people are tired of it. I’m tired of it – compromise applies to both sides (Democrats and Republicans) inside their respective chamber as well as with the other chamber.

  3. Thank you for standing on your principals …the other 25 are going to wish they would have…..Tea-Bagger Allan from Erie

  4. Thank you Senator Casey for showing adult leadership.
    Senator Toomey will be history after the 2016 Elections, when PA will elect its new Junior Senator…Joe Sestak.
    Can’t wait for Teabag Toomey to lose.

  5. Riight.he voted with his heritage foundation/club for growth buddies because his fee fees were hurt…
    Not only a right wing idiot but a liar.

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