Americans Brace for Government Shutdown Oct. 1

September 29, 2013

Americans are bracing for a partial shutdown of the national government that looks increasingly likely to begin Tuesday, as a politically-divided Congress remains unable to agree on a formula to extend federal spending authority. Absent a last-minute deal, non-essential government services will halt and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be idled.

Tempers flared late Saturday in House of Representatives before the Republican-controlled chamber approved a spending bill.

“This is a bill to keep the government open,” said Congressman Rob Woodall, who hailed a provision in the bill delaying implementation of President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law.

“It asks to delay it [Obamacare] for one year. For one year.”

Democrats blasted Republican tactics to cripple the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare.”

“Another chapter of Republican hostage-taking: threatening to shut down the government or refuse to pay the country’s bills if they do not get their way politically,” said Congressman David Price.

Republicans insist they are simply representing their constituents’ concerns.

“We have heard a lot in this chamber about the government," said Congressman Mark Meadows. "The government this, the government that, when do we start focusing on the people?”