Owens bucks party to vote 'no' on debt ceiling

WASHINGTON — Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh voted today against raising the limit on the public debt, bucking his party's leadership on a close and controversial vote.

Mr. Owens joined with moderate and conservative Democrats in opposing the measure, which could give Republicans more ammunition in their effort to cast the majority party as undisciplined spenders.

The resolution raises the federal debt ceiling to $14.3 trillion. It passed 217-212, with Democrats casting all the “yes” votes.

Mr. Owens was one of the last lawmakers to vote on the measure, when passage appeared narrow but likely.