House Overwhelmingly Passes the Budget Compromise

The House voted to pass a compromise budget plan drafted by Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray that would fund the government through 2015.

The House voted to pass a compromise budget plan drafted by Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray that would fund the government through 2015. Despite opposition from conservative groups who disagreed with the bill's partial relief to sequester cuts, the bill easily passed the Republican controlled House, 332-94. The two-year deal funds the government at just above $1 trillion for 2014 and 2015, ending a years-long cycle of short term deals to keep the government open.

Earlier on Thursday, Speaker John Boehner blasted conservative opposition to the compromise, arguing that outside groups who opposed the budget deal had "lost credibility." On Wednesday, Boehner called the opposition efforts "ridiculous." Republicans ended up voting for the measure 169-62, while Democrats supported it 163-32.

If passed in the Senate, the $85 billion package would relieve about $63 billion in scheduled sequestration cuts starting in 2014, with the remaining savings going towards the country's deficit. The savings come from cuts to other programs, along with a series of increased fees, including a raise in employee contributions to federal pensions. The bill does not include a key provision for Democrats: an extension of long-term unemployment benefits, set to expire December 28.

The bill now moves to the Senate for a vote some time next week. President Obama has promised to sign the bill into law should it pass.