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He Said. He Said: Republicans vs Democratics On The Government Shutdown

GOP Majority leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) posted the below photo on his Twitter account showing House GOP members sitting across the table from a row of empty seats, depicting them waiting to have a meeting with Democrats.  The crafty photo is the latest attempt in the war of the House v Senate to point fingers, and place blame, for why this government can't get anything done.

Cantor tweeted, “In divided government, the only way forward is to sit down at the table. The House awaits the Senate".

That's what the Republicans said.


House GOPs await Senate

Democrats, as you might imagine, have a different take. 

Democratic representative Tim Kaine (D-VA), speaking yesterday on Richmond, Virginia's Jack Gravely Show stated that it was after Republicans decided to shut down the government, they decided to reach out to Democrats for a meeting.  

This placard is placed on the White House web site, blaming Congress for shutting down the government.

Republicans want to defund The Affordable Care Act, (the law of the land) and take money from programs that benefit Americans like the Head Start program and other social programs. Democrats adamantly oppose these proposals.

Kaine, who stated his office is working at half the staff it usually does because of the government shutdown (now in its 5th day), spoke to Gravely on a host of issues to include government employee back pay and the debt ceiling. 

Said, Kaine, "There's not a single Democrat threatening to default on our debt."

Listen to the audio below.



While the government shutdown now nearing it's first week, representatives on both sides will still receive their paychecks - and their families are not likely affected.

Until this government is fixed, both sides are sad, and that's what we said.


Related
Who The Shutdown Affects
With Government Works Furloughed, Who's Picking Up The Trash?

Tweet from former DC Mayor, Marion Barry.  

"WHAT.THE.*. IS.GOING.ON? Lion on the loose. Congress out to lunch. Police shoot out at Capitol. Smh"

**Update**
Legislation for Retro Worker Pay

The Administration strongly supports House passage of H.R. 3223, the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act.  Once the Government is funded, the bill would retroactively compensate Federal employees furloughed as a result of any lapse in appropriations beginning on October 1, 2013, for the period of the lapse.  Federal workers keep the Nation safe and secure and provide vital services that support the economic security of American families.  The Administration appreciates that the Congress is acting promptly to move this bipartisan legislation and looks forward to the bill's swift passage. 
 
This bill alone, however, will not address the serious consequences of the funding lapse, nor will a piecemeal approach to appropriations bills.  The House of Representatives should allow a straight up or down vote on Senate-passed H.J. Res. 59, to fund the Government and bring the Nation's dedicated civil servants back to work.

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