WASHINGTON (AP) Conservative Republican Sen. Ted Cruz says he won't delay a vote on a bipartisan budget deal that will reopen the government and avoid a financial default.
Cruz had helped force the shutdown by demanding that President Barack Obama gut his health care law in exchange for a bill to keep the government running. His high-profile campaign galvanized Republicans in the House of Representatives, who triggered the shutdown of the federal government on Oct. 1. by refusing to pass an emergency funding bill.
Cruz told reporters Wednesday that he would vote against the bipartisan bill but wouldn't use Senate delaying tactics to stall the legislation.
The Texas senator has won praise from the tea party movement and other conservatives for his actions.
