Two Democratic members of the House voted with Republicans Friday to defund Obamacare and fund the government until the end of the year: Utah Rep. Jim Matheson and North Carolina Rep. Mike McIntyre.
Matheson is the sole Democratic member of the Utah delegation, a state that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won with almost 73 percent of the vote. Matheson, on the other hand, eked out a win in 2012, beating former Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love in 2012 by fewer than 3,000 votes.
Love has said she will challenge Matheson again in 2014.
McIntyre’s race was even tighter: he beat Republican state senator David Rouzer by fewer than 700 votes, a margin so slim that McIntyre was only declared the winner after a recount. Rouzer has announced he will challenge McIntyre again in 2014.
In a statement on Facebook, Matheson said he did not support putting the Obamacare provision in the continuing resolution, but that he did not want to shut down the government.
“It is irresponsible to add unrelated provisions to legislation to keep our government running. I have always preferred straightforward legislating that avoids political games. However, I believe we should avoid shutting down the government, and I voted for a continuing resolution to keep the legislative process working toward that end today,” he said.
McIntyre, in a statement, said he supporting defunding and wanted to keep the government open.
“Among many other crucial services, it is essential that we honor our senior citizens, veterans, and men and women in uniform by ensuring there is no delay in their monthly retirement checks, health care coverage, or military benefits. Keeping our government operational is vital and today’s vote does that,” he said.
“My record on the health care law has been crystal clear — I voted against it when it was first considered, have voted to repeal it dozens of times, and today voted to defund it. The need for health care reform is clear, but this law is not the right approach for our citizens, communities, and businesses,” he added.
