October 16, 2013

Manchin Among Senators Who Crafted Compromise To End Shutdown | WCHS

The government shutdown may soon be over as congress has reached a bipartisan deal.

The White House is urging quick congressional approval of a deal to raise the debt ceiling and end the partial government shutdown.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the deal reached by Senate leaders "achieves what's necessary" to reopen the government, remove the threat of default and move past brinksmanship.

Carney said the agreement is bipartisan and that President Barack Obama is looking for Congress to act so he can sign it and remove the threat to the economy.

Obama's spokesman is praising Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for working together.

Reid announced the deal at the start of Wednesday's Senate session.

The agreement would reopen the government through Jan. 15 and increase the nation's borrowing authority through Feb. 7.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., was among a group of 14 lawmakers who helped craft the compromise.

An equal mix of Republicans and Democrats came up with the deal which will re-open the government avoid a U.S. default on its debts.

Manchin said the compromise is important to West Virginians for a number of reasons.

“When you look at all the people in West Virginia who work for the federal government who have been furloughed needlessly, not knowing if their paycheck was going to come or if they're going to get a paycheck, we can get that back up and running again,” Manchin said.

Additionally, Manchin said a deal would also restore the West Virginia National Guard to full strength and re-open federal facilities including the New River National Park.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.