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September 30, 2013

U.S. Faces Government Shutdown in Obamacare Standoff 
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The nation is on the eve of its first government shutdown in 17 years as
the congressional standoff over the Affordable Care Act comes to a head.
Just after midnight on Sunday, the Republican-controlled House approved
a bill tying continued government funding to a one-year delay of
Obamacare and the repeal of a tax to pay for it. Hours later, Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid refused to reopen the Senate to allow debate,
setting up a likely rejection of the House bill today. That will then
put it back on the House to pass a stand-alone funding bill without the
Obamacare delay, or force a government shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Eastern
time on Tuesday. On Sunday, Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of
California blamed the Senate for the impasse.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher: "If this government shuts down, it is because the
Senate, the Democrats who control the Senate, playing politics, want to
shut down the government because they have refused to even consider the
compromise that we have offered. This president negotiates with all
kinds of despots and terrorist leaders. He won't even negotiate with
us."

If the shutdown occurs, more than 800,000 federal workers will face
furloughs and millions more could be forced to work without pay. At a
news conference Friday in Washington, President Obama said a shutdown
would hurt the economy.

President Obama: "My message to Congress is this: Do not shut down the
government. Do not shut down the economy. Pass a budget on time. Pay our
bills on time. Refocus on the everyday concerns of the American people.
Past shut downs have disrupted the economy, and this shutdown would, as
well. It would throw a wrench into the gears of our economy at a time
when those gears have gained some traction."

The prospect of a shutdown comes as Republicans and Democrats face a
nearing deadline to increase the nation's borrowing limit or risk a
default on U.S. debts. Republicans had previously threatened to tie
their bid for an Obamacare repeal to the debt ceiling vote.

 

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