After missing the midnight deadline to avert the shutdown of the federal government, Republicans and Democrats in the House continued to attack one another in a bitter blame game Tuesday in an effort to redirect possible public backlash.
For the first time since 1996, the U.S. government shutdown because congress failed to agree to pass a spending bill that would keep it functioning. The shutdown was spearheaded by Republicans associated with the conservative Tea Party movement united in their opposition to President Obama and their distaste for the president's signature healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as "Obamacare."
Throughout history passing a spending bill has been a bipartisan procedure, however House GOP members attached a provision to the bill that would gut the Affordable Care Act. Despite knowing that such a bill had a slim chance of passing through the Democratic-led Senate, and that President Obama vowed not to sign it into law, Tea Party-backed Republicans remained firm in their decision to undermine Obamacare by any means necessary.
Shortly after the shutdown, Republican House Speaker John Boehner heaped blame on Senate Democrats, tweeting that "Senate Democrats chose to shut down the govt rather than discuss the failures of #ObamaCare."
Likewise, fellow Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup, stated, "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," reports Fox News.
However, other GOP members, like Rep. Reid Ribble, condemned the party for holding the government spending bill hostage in an effort to undercut Obamacare. "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," he said in a statement.
In addition, Republican Sen. Mark Kirk declared, "I do not support #ObamaCare but a #shutdown of the federal gov't will have a [negative] impact on our markets & the economy."
Across the political aisle, Democrats bashed Republicans for yielding to the Tea Party's extremism.
"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," declared Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Rep. Terri Sewell showed frustration with Republican political antics as well. Sewell said in a statement: "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!"
In addition, Sen. Patty Murray said, "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."
Americans have also been chiming in about the congressional stalemate and voicing their concerns and frustration over the shutdown.
Jesse LaGreca, who tweets under the handle @JesseLaGreca, stated, "I pledge to never vote for another Republican as long as Iive. No more hostage games with America's health and economy #DearCongress #p2."
Rebecca Shiller tweeted, "#dearcongress I took a vow to serve the public and I'm sitting at home without a job today. Who are you getting paid to serve?"
Polls show that Republicans are more likely to be blamed for the shutdown, as they were during the last one in 1995 and 1996.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed about 25 percent of Americans would blame Republicans, 14 percent would blame Obama and 5 percent would blame Democrats in Congress, while 44 percent said everyone would be to blame.