I think the list of winners and losers is longer than one person or one party. After 16 days, the government officially re-opened today and all federal employees will be returning to work and receiving back pay.
Report from Wall Street Journal:
A potentially crippling U.S. debt default was averted late Wednesday, as Congress passed legislation to end a political showdown that had rattled financial markets, splintered the Republican Party and showcased Washington dysfunction.
The House voted 285-144 to reopen the government through Jan. 15, suspend the debt ceiling through Feb. 7 and lay the groundwork for talks over broader budget issues. The Senate earlier approved the bill 81-18. President Barack Obama signed the bill early Thursday morning.
The agreement, crafted by two Senate leaders, offers only a temporary reprieve from the brinkmanship that has become a hallmark of divided government. Still, news earlier Wednesday that the bill was moving toward final passage had been enough to send the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 205.82 points, or 1.4%, to 15373.83—putting it 1.6% above its level on Sept. 30, the last day the government was fully open.
…
In the House, 198 Democrats and 87 Republicans voted for the bill. Opposing it were 144 Republicans. No Democrats voted against the bill. Mr. Boehner voted for the bill, as did Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.) and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.). However, Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) voted against it.
“Today’s legislation won’t help us reduce our fast-growing debt,” Mr. Ryan said after the vote. “In my judgment, this isn’t a breakthrough. We’re just kicking the can down the road.”
In the Senate, 54 members of the Democratic caucus were joined by 27 Republicans in voting for the bill. They included Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), the Senate GOP leader, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.). Eighteen Republicans voted no.
Complete roll call for House and Senate available here.
So, what of it? The debt ceiling will be raised to take on more federal debt and the government will be funded into the beginning of next year.
Has Ted Cruz helped or hurt himself in the primary and/or the general? What about peripheral figures like Marco Rubio and Rand Paul who remained fairly quiet during the ordeal. What about the respective parties? Is the biggest winner a prospective third-party candidate to capitalize on disgust for DC?
