House votes to extend debt limit, pressing Senate to pass budget

Story by The Hill

The House on Wednesday put new pressure on the Senate to pass its first budget in nearly four years, by approving a bill that threatens to withhold senators' pay until that work is done.

The House approved the No Budget, No Pay Act in a 285-144 vote. Among Republicans, 33 voted against it to protest the absence of specific spending cuts in a bill that essentially extends the debt ceiling. But they were more than offset by the 86 Democrats who voted for the measure.

The bill suspends the debt ceiling until May 18, and requires each chamber to pass a budget by April 15 or have its members face a suspension of pay. Republicans are hoping the bill gives Congress a few months to find a longer-term debt-ceiling agreement that includes significant spending cuts.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/278835-house-passes-no-budget-no-pay-sends-to-the-senate#ixzz2IpJG5bvE