A congressman from Florida is caught in the crossfire between Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican House Speaker John Boenher, as both sides grapple with the federal shutdown.
Ohio's Boehner appointed a group of Republican congressmen to negotiate with the Senate on a short-term agreement to keep the federal government open. The Republicans controlling the House continue to push the Senate to defer President Barack Obamas health care law by a year. Boehner turned to U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., who has been in Congress since 2000, as a conferee. Other conferees are House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va.; Dave Camp, R-Mich., the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee; Hal Rogers, R-Ky., the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; possible 2016 presidential hopeful Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the chairman of the House Budget Committee; Rep. John Carter, R-Texas; Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J.; and Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga.
The House has made its position clear: keep the government running and ensure basic fairness for all Americans under Obamacare, said Boehner. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats chose to shut down the government rather than discuss or even recognize Obamacares failures. The best path forward right now is for both chambers to convene a formal conference committee where we can resolve our differences, and move forward on important legislation that gets control of spending and strengthens our economy. Thats the system the founders set up for us, and its what the American people expect us to do.
But Reid shows no sign of accepting the conferees, insisting the House has to pass a Continuing Resolution without delaying the health care law a year.
We will not go to conference with a gun to our head, Reid insisted on the Senate floor late on Monday. He urged the House to pass a Continuing Resolution that does not delay the law. If they do that, then well agree to work with Republicans on funding for the government for the remainder of the fiscal year.
For his part, Crenshaw blames the Senate for the shutdown.
Make no mistake about it, the House of Representatives has listened to the will of the American people, voting multiple times to fund government operations and stop Obamacare, Crenshaw said early on Tuesday. At every step, however, that movement met with obstruction from the United States Senate, resulting in a government shutdown.
I am deeply disappointed and will be working closely with colleagues to end this unnecessary stalemate, Crenshaw added. My offices in Jacksonville and on Capitol Hill are open and ready to address any questions and concerns that constituents may have.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinDerbySSN.
