Why Mike Thompson Voted for the Debt Deal

Congressman Mike Thompson voted in favor of the controversial debt deal yesterday, which will permit U.S. borrowing by the Treasury in exchange for more than $2 million in long-term cuts.

The Senate passed the emergency legislation today to avoid a first-ever government default, rushing the legislation to President Barack Obama for his signature just hours before the deadline.  

Here’s what Thompson had to say about his vote:

“I voted for the compromise legislation to avoid defaulting on our nation’s debt. Given that our nation was hours away from defaulting on its obligations, I felt a responsibility to vote yes.”

The deal has been scrutinized heavily from the extreme ends of both major parties. They say that although a default was averted, the compromise it not something particularly worth celebrating.

The Huffington Post contributed to this report.