RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia Senator Tim Kaine is defending his decision to break ranks with fellow democrats on Capitol Hill and vote on steps to reopen the federal government.

It’s been shuttered since October 1.

“Controversial, tough call, some of my colleagues don’t like it. My governor-elect is very happy with it,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D), Virginia.

Kaine’s counterpart in the Senate, democratic Senator Mark Warner, voted against the measure.

“I couldn’t vote for something that didn’t address the health care crisis that is imminent,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D), Virginia.

Eight Democrats joined with republicans overnight to advance a federal funding measure in exchange for a future vote on extending enhanced Affordable Care subsidies.

“We wanted to fix the ACA tax credit issue,

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