Simpson’s vote catches criticism

The partial government shutdown is over, but that doesn’t mean everyone is happy about it. When it comes down to the vote that made this all possible, many people in Idaho have mixed opinions.

Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson has received some heat for his vote to end the shutdown. Simpson joined other congressmen late Wednesday night to pass legislation to raise the debt ceiling and end the partial government shutdown. To do so, congressmen had to compromise, moving forward with the Affordable Care Act without any substantial changes. This compromise is what people are talking about.

Idaho Falls native Ashley Gallop believes the congressman acted for the greater good of the state.

“I personally know some people who were affected by the shutdown, so I think it was a good move for him to do that,” said Gallop.

James Greenhalgh doesn’t feel the same way, stating that the shutdown was needed as long as the Affordable Care Act is what he calls a threat.

“It was a bad one (vote). ‘Obamacare’ we don’t need,” he said.

Other people have said that they want people to have their jobs but they aren’t sure how they feel about the health care act.

Simpson defended his decision in a statement, saying the shutdown was bad for the state’s economy and his decision was made for the thousands who were furloughed.