Saturday, October 19, 2013

Dingell Dissatisfied, Government Reopens Anyway


After sixteen days, Congress finally came to an agreement and the government is now reopened. This came just in time because the United States was going to have to default on its debts otherwise.  The agreement to reopen the government passed by both houses giving Congress time to negotiate long-term budget issues. While ending the shutdown was passed by both houses of Congress that doesn’t mean that every representative was on board and agreed with the bill. In Michigan, nine members of the House voted for the bill and five opposed.[1] Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) voted yes because he felt it was necessary to end the shutdown but feels the bill does not solve the deeper underlining problems that divide the House. “This is not an ideal solution, but it is the most reasonable and responsible one available at this time. All the same, the House should have been allowed to work its will on this matter 16 days ago in order to avoid a needless government shutdown and default crisis.”[2]
As Dingell, quoted above, expressed this was not an ideal solution, but it was a solution that needed to be reached. If Congress had not reopened than the United States would have defaulted its debt and fallen into more financial trouble. Those who voted no on the agreement said they were dissatisfied because it did nothing to restrict Obamacare. Regardless of opposing opinions, a compromise had to come, the government had to reopen eventually. Hopefully with more time now Congress can sort out its budget issues and move the country forward instead of leaving it in a standstill.


[1] Fritz Klug, "Why Michigan's delegation voted for, against bill to reopen government," MLive.com, October 17, 2013.
[2] Fritz Klug, "Why Michigan's delegation voted for, against bill to reopen government," MLive.com, October 17, 2013.

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