U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives sent to the Senate legislation that funds the government through December 15, 2013, delays the implementation of Obamacare for a year and eliminates the medical device tax and a separate bill to ensure that our troops are paid:

 “A bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives voted to keep the government open, repeal the onerous medical device tax which drives up the cost of medical care, and provide all Americans with the same reprieve from Obamacare that the president has already granted to numerous groups and organizations of his choosing by delaying it for a year.  A bipartisan majority also passed a separate bill to ensure that our troops are paid regardless of what happens with various funding measures in Washington.  The people of the 3^rd Congressional District have made it clear that they don’t want a government shut down, that they want our troops to be paid, and that they do not support Obamacare.  That is why it is imperative that the Senate put aside partisan politics and do the right thing for hard-working families and pass this legislation as soon as possible.”