Speaker Boehner on Averting Government Shutdown: 'We'll deal with it' later
"It's pretty clear, given the number of days we're going to be here in September, that we're going to have to do a [continuing resolution] of some sort. But no decision has been made about that. We'll deal with it in September when we get back," Boehner said at his weekly press briefing in the Capitol. [7/23]
With just 16 legislative daysleft until Republicans shut down the government, Speaker Boehner's "we'll deal with it later" philosophy on averting a Republican Government Shutdown is reckless and dangerous. That's why House Democrats have pleaded with House Republicans to work with them -- to get serious about keeping the government open and passing appropriations bills that help hard-working Americans:
"It's as if the Republican leadership is paddling calmly down the river with a huge waterfall ahead, and the fact that they're not scrambling to come to the table, and work this out, suggests they're perfectly happy with a government shutdown," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), top Democrat of the House Budget Committee… [7/21]
House Republicans' brinksmanship has already cost this country too many jobs and too much economic confidence. None of this should come as a surprise to Speaker Boehner: even his own GOPappropriators have begged him not to wait to sit down with Democrats to chart a responsible path forward. It's long past time for Republicans to join with Democrats to work out a better budget for America's hard-working families.