House Spending Bill Passes After 54 Republicans Defect

Looks like some Republicans have some 'splaining to do: 54 House GOP members defected on a stopgap spending bill, causing it to pass easily and move on to the Democratic-controlled Senate. The measure will cut an additional $6 billion, but, most important, it will extend the threat of a government shutdown for another three weeks. The defections, which resulted in a 271-158 vote, were a blow to Majority Leader John Boehner, who has boasted of being able to keep his party in line. Twenty of the 54 defections were from freshman congressmen, although longyime Rep. Mike Pence was part of the pack as well, saying, “We have to have a fight.”