Budget Deal: House Overwhelmingly Approves Bi-Partisan Agreement Aimed At Averting Government Shutdown (Video)

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A federal budget plan worked out by House Budget Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray passed on Thursday, removing the threat of another government shutdown, CNN reported.

The 332-94 vote will go on to the Democratic-led Senate, which is expected to be approved as early as next week, CNN also reported.

"Is it perfect? Does it go far enough? No, not at all," said House Speaker John Boehner. In urging his conservatives colleagues to back the plan before the vote, he said the bill representas a manifestation of "doing what the American people expect us to do - coming together and finding common ground."

Both Republicans and Democrats praised the budget proposal. Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen called the deal "a small positive step forward."

"He and other Democrats called for Congress to also extend long-term unemployment benefits for more than 1 million Americans set to expire after Christmas, but their support for the budget plan showed they dropped any demand to link the issues in Thursday's vote," CNN reported.

GOP conservatives like Ted Cruz said he will not vote to pass the deal.

"The new budget deal moves in the wrong direction: it spends more, taxes more, and allows continued funding for Obamacare. I cannot support it," said Cruz.

House Speaker Boehner has expressed criticism of ardently conservative groups, which have been hostile toward the deal. 

"Frankly, I think they're misleading their followers," Boehner said at a press conference.

"I think they're pushing our members into places where they don't want to be. And frankly, I just think that they've lost all credibility," Boehner added.

Jenny Beth Martin, the national coordinator of Tea Party Patriots, disagreed.

"Time and again, Congress has claimed that cost-saving measures were permanent, only to later renege on these promises," Martin said.

The deal "exposes the true colors of several in the GOP establishment when it comes to protecting conservative principles," she added.

The White House has expressed support for the compromise.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel also expressed support for it.

"This agreement does not solve all (Department of Defense) budget problems but it helps address readiness especially in 2014 with putting more money back in training, in particular, and procurement," Hagel said.

Tags
U.S. Budget Deal, Bipartisan Bill, Sen. Paul Ryan, House Speaker John Boehner
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