U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Monday voted to send the president legislation that ends the government shutdown, suspends the job-killing medical device tax for two years, and reauthorizes the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years.
“After Senate Democrats held the government hostage over an unrelated immigration issue for three days, a bill to end the government shutdown is finally on its way to the president’s desk,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Not only does this bill allow our military to resume full maintenance and training operations, it also protects Hoosier jobs from the medical device tax and ensures millions of kids continue to have health coverage through CHIP. This shutdown was irresponsible and unnecessary, and I’m glad it’s over. I hope congressional Democrats will leave these partisan games behind so we can work together for the American people.”
BACKGROUND
The House today passed an amended version of H.R. 195, the Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, by a vote of 266 to 150. The bill, which passed the Senate earlier Monday, would extend government funding through February 8, 2018, as well as suspend the medical device tax for two years and renew CHIP funding for six years. The bill now heads to President Trump to be signed into law.
The House last week passed nearly identical legislation extending government funding through February 16, 2018, but Senate Democrats blocked the bill, leading to a three-day partial shutdown of the federal government.
Congresswoman Walorski in December introduced H.R. 4617, which would suspend for five years the 2.3 percent excise tax on medical device sales enacted under Obamacare. Congress in 2015 delayed the tax through 2017. The House has also passed legislation to permanently repeal the tax.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
