The two U.S. House members who represent Bloomington-Normal and Peoria split their votes Tuesday on a continuing resolution that avoids – or at least delays – a government shutdown.
The House voted overwhelmingly, 336 to 95, to approve an unusual two-tier spending bill to keep some government offices open through mid-January while others would operate through the beginning of February. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure later this week.
Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican from Dunlap, was one of 93 Republicans voting against the measure.
“With over $33 trillion in federal debt, we can’t continue to govern through continuing resolutions without taking substantive steps to reduce spending," LaHood said in a statement. "In Illinois, every family and small business must meet a monthly or yearly budget and it is long past time that Congress does the same. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we continue our Appropriations process through regular order to return fiscal sanity to Washington.”
Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat from Moline, was one of 209 Democrats voting for it.
"Last night I voted ‘yes’ on a bipartisan, short-term funding package so we could avoid a disastrous government shutdown that would hurt Illinois families," Sorensen said in a statement. "But moving forward, the American people deserve so much better. We need to stop the partisan fighting and come together on a full budget that works for Central and Northwestern Illinois.”
