Courier News - Arkansas Delegation Reacts to US Budget Vote

News Article

By the Associated Press

Arkansas Republicans in the U.S. House praised a Friday vote that would keep the federal government running but defund President Barack Obama's health care law.

U.S. Reps. Tom Cotton, Rick Crawford, Tim Griffin and Steve Womack all said the House did the right thing in the vote to fund the federal government beyond the Oct. 1 start of the new fiscal year, averting a shutdown, while crippling the Affordable Care Act.

The lone Democrat in the Arkansas congressional delegation, Sen. Mark Pryor, said House Republicans acted irresponsibly and that the resolution would hurt the recovering economy.

"Next week, when the real work begins in the Senate, I will work in a constructive way to keep the government open and keep our economy growing," Pryor said in a news release.

Cotton is running for the GOP nomination to face Pryor, who is seeking re-election. He said the House vote reflects what Arkansas residents want -- a budget agreement and an end to the health care law.

"I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act responsibly and pass this legislation," said Cotton, whose district includes much of south and west Arkansas.

Pryor said Friday that Congress should work to improve the law instead of blocking its imposition.

Griffin called the health care law "a train wreck" that would increase health care costs for many workers.

"The House (budget resolution) orders a full and permanent delay of Obamacare while keeping the federal government open. Now the Senate must act to pass this critical legislation and avoid a government shutdown -- something I continue to oppose because it will hurt Arkansans and waste hard-earned taxpayer dollars," said Griffin, who represents central Arkansas.

Womack, who represents northwest Arkansas, said he was proud to be in the House majority. He said that if the Senate doesn't follow suit, "Americans will be worse off."

Crawford, whose district includes east Arkansas, said he is putting together legislation that would provide for short-term extensions to fund the government.

"Although I believe we must use every possible avenue in our power to stop or delay this looming juggernaut, I also firmly believe we must do so without taking action to shut down the government," he said.

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