Corrine Brown, Ander Crenshaw Split on Party Lines as Shutdown Nears

Jacksonvilles congresswoman and congressman -- Democrat Corrine Brown and Republican Ander Crenshaw -- split on party lines over continuing resolutions to fund the government and efforts to delay President Barack Obamas health care law by a year. Unless the Democratic Senate and the Republican House reach an agreement by the end of Monday, the federal government will be experiencing a shutdown.

Americans in Florida and across the nation want the government funded and open for business, and they dont want Obamacare, Crenshaw said on Sunday. Thats why I voted for amendments to delay Obamacare for a year and permanently repeal the laws medical device tax. I also voted on a third amendment to ensure our troops are paid no matter what.

Once again, the House has spoken doing all it can to fund the government and stop as much of Obamacare as possible, Crenshaw added. The Senate should do the same and pass these measures.

Brown weighed in later on Sunday.

"As the current continuing resolution is set to expire on Monday at midnight, the sad truth is that Speaker Boehner has surrendered the gavel to the tea party, who is disinterested in anything other than defunding or delaying the Affordable Care Act, Brown said. Given that the Affordable Care Act passed both chambers of the United States Congress, was signed into law by the president of the United States, upheld by the United States Supreme Court, and received a stamp of approval by the American public when they voted to re-elect President Obama, it is now time for House Republicans to accept the ACA, discontinue their obstructionist tactics, and assist their constituents to receive the numerous heath care benefits of Obamacare.

Ironically, even if House Republicans shut down the government, the Affordable Care Act will still be implemented on Oct. 1, since the health insurance exchanges open regardless of discretionary funding levels or passage of the CR, Brown continued. After 42 failed attempts to repeal and defund the Affordable Care Act, the House majority has chosen to shut down our government rather than working with President Obama and House Democrats to implement the law. They ignore the fact that Americans have already begun receiving benefits of the Affordable Care Act, and by voting to delay the launch of the insurance exchanges next week, Republicans are trying to stop millions of Americans from obtaining access to health care.

By not passing a presentable continuing resolution, the House majority has once again placed partisanship over doing what is best for the American people, Brown insisted. The salaries of more than 800,000 federal employees are at risk, causing them and their families to face uncertainty with respect to their financial obligations. Additionally, housing loans to low- and middle-income families in rural communities, small businesses and farmers will be put on hold; and job creation will likely slow considerably because of market uncertainty, endangering our fragile economic recovery.

The American people have seen enough, Brown said in conclusion. The time has come for Republicans to abandon their reckless and irresponsible agenda and join Democrats to honor Americas commitments, create jobs, and strengthen the middle class.