Rep. Trey Gowdy Votes to Extend Debt Ceiling

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-4) joined the rest of the Republicans in the South Carolina Congressional Delegation to vote in favor of the bill to raise the federal government's debt limit. The so-called "No Budget, No Pay" bill passed the House by a vote of 285-144. It is expected to be approved in the Senate with few changes according to Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The measure means the federal government will be able to keep borrowing until May 19. It also takes the debt ceiling off the table as a political debate for the next three months, which was a loser for Republicans in the eyes of most Americans.

It's a sharp contrast to the last debt ceiling debate when South Carolina's newest members of the House--Gowdy, Mick Mulvaney, Tim Scott and Jeff Duncan were at the center of a bitter fight.

South Carolina's lone Democrat in the House, Jim Clyburn, voted against the bill.

Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.