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Party Lines Are Strong on U.S. House Spending-Obamacare Vote

By David Madden

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS) -- House Republicans advanced a bill today that would continue funding the US government at current spending levels for nearly three months but would strip money appropriated to fund Obamacare, following through on months of threats and inviting the prospect of a government shutdown if the Senate, as expected, does not accede to the House's decision before an October 1st deadline (see related story).

Among the local Congressional delegation, Rep. Pat Meehan (R-Pa.) said, in a statement,  that the measure "improves our country's fiscal health by cutting our out-of-control spending."

Translation:  Obamacare is a waste.

Republicans issued statements, for the most part.  Bucks County's Mike Fitzpatrick issued one saying he voted in favor of the measure that "will give both Republicans and Democrats the time needed to write a workable plan to put our country back on the right track."

But Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) says tying government operations to derailing health care reform is unacceptable.

"The Senate doesn't want to repeal the health care law. The president doesn't either, and it's not gonna happen this time," he said.  He called the House vote "yet another contrived, artificial drama."

Andrews believes it will come down to the wire next week but expects moderate House Republicans to agree with the Senate plan that does not tie Obamacare to overall government funding.

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