The U.S. House of Representatives voted 230-189 Fri., Sept. 20 to fund the government through the rest of the year by defunding the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. It is a bill that will surely be voted down in the Senate, and also certainly vetoed by President Barack Obama. Nevertheless, representatives such as Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) voted for the bill, even while noting the futility of the effort. "While this continuing resolution will not be the final package, a ‘yes’ vote on this bill moves the process forward and will allow for negotiations with the Senate," said Gibson in a prepared statement. "This is necessary to keep the government running." In The Albany Times-Union, New York Senator Chuck Schumer was quoted saying, "I have never seen such an extreme group of people adopt such an insane policy." Gibson will be local this weekend, at the OlanaFest at 5:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 21, and then at 6:30 p.m. at Greenport Community Day at the Greenport Town Park, on Joslen Blvd. On Sunday, Sept. 22, Gibson attends the Hillsdale Arts Festival at 2 p.m. at Hamlet Park.