Lawmakers react to federal government shutdown
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE: The Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)
The following is a round-up of reaction from lawmakers and others on Congress missing the midnight deadline to avert a government shutdown:
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio: "The House has made its position known very clearly. We believe we should fund the government and we think there ought to be basic fairness for all Americans under ObamaCare."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.: "It is embarrassing that these people who are elected to represent the country are representing the Tea Party, the anarchists of the country, and the majority of the Republicans in the House are following every step of the way."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.: "I do not support #ObamaCare but a #shutdown of the federal gov't will have a [negative] impact on our markets & the economy."
Rep. Terri Sewell, D. Ala.: "Instead of allowing a vote on this clean Continuing Resolution, House Republicans once again attached unreasonable amendments which had no hope of gaining bi-partisan support. Enough is enough!"
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio: "The fact that we have reached this point is a failure of leadership. I am disappointed by President Obama and Harry Reid’s refusal to negotiate in good faith to keep the government open. I will be working to get the government open."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif.: "Instead of working with Democrats and Republicans to find a bipartisan budget solution, Speaker Boehner made the reckless and irresponsible choice to let the government shutdown. This is not the way to govern and certainly not the way to lead."
Rep. Paul Cook, R-Calif.: "The President demonstrated this weekend that he’s willing to negotiate with Iran, a country that’s threatened to destroy the US and Israel, but he won’t negotiate with Congress. These delays have pushed us to the brink, and now seniors and working families will suffer from the foot-dragging."
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.: "Shutting down the government over a law that has – and will continue to – provide Washington families with access to affordable health care is the height of irresponsibility and Washington state families deserve better."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rep. Reid Ribble, R-Wis.: "I’ve stated from the beginning of this process that while I vigorously oppose ObamaCare and believe it is poor healthcare policy, I do not believe shutting down the government is the correct strategy to address this flawed law. Two wrongs don’t make a right."
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.: "Instead of coming together to find reasonable solutions, Congress chose to shut down the government. Governing by crisis is no way to govern at all."