Post date: Oct 07, 2013 8:11:49 PM
Obama says "my very strong suspicion" is that there are enough votes in the House to pass a bill that would end the government shutdown. He calls on Republicans to hold vote today "and lets see what happens."
WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 7, 2013) (RESTRICTED POOL) - President Barack Obama, in a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Monday (October 7) to spotlight the loss of government services because of the shutdown, urged Congress to reopen the government and raise the debt limit immediately.
"My very strong suspicion is there are enough votes there" to pass legislation, he said. "Hold a vote. Call a vote right now. Let's see what happens."FEMA had recalled employees who were idled in the shutdown to deal with Tropical Storm Karen but the storm has weakened and Obama said the agency would now send about 100 of them home.
The federal government shut down most of its operations and idled all but its most essential workers Oct. 1 after congressional Republicans continued to make defunding or delaying healthcare laws part of spending bills.
The country faces the possibility of a debt default if lawmakers do not raise the federal borrowing cap by Oct. 17.
Obama said at FEMA that he would be happy to hold talks with congressional Republicans on healthcare or other issues, but not under the threat of shutdown or debt default.
"Pass a budget, end the government shutdown, pay our bills, and prevent an economic shutdown. And as soon as that happens, I am eager and ready to sit down and negotiate with Republicans on a whole range of issues" Obama added.