Two U.S. Senators differed on Thursday on raising the debt ceiling, which would effectively ensure the United States can borrow more money in the coming weeks and avoid a government shutdown.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., voted yes on the measure, while U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, R-Pa., cast a no vote. Now the House is expected to take up the package today.
“I’m disappointed that a bill intended to help people in need has been swept up into a bad deal for the American people,” Toomey said in a prepared statement. “Legislation to help with the devastation of Hurricane Harvey is urgently needed, and I support that. Unfortunately, the agreement reached by Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and President Trump attaches hurricane relief funds to yet another suspension of the debt limit without any spending or budgetary reforms despite our national debt approaching $20 trillion.”
But he said a larger aid package for Hurricane Harvey victims is probably necessary. Toomey said he hopes that the package would be put together in a way that would assist those affected by the storm and deemed as a stand-alone measure.
If measure gets signed into law, the move would provide funding to government agencies through Dec. 8, the Associated Press reported.
Casey’s office did not immediately respond for a request seeking further comment.