Cass Ballenger: “already rumors are running wild in Washington that the President wants a government shutdown, a shutdown that he can…”

“already rumors are running wild in Washington that the President wants a government shutdown, a shutdown that he can then blame on the Republicans. This is considered a terrible breach of faith among Republicans because Republican leaders in Congress have been working since the spring to avoid a government shutdown. There is no need for a shutdown, for even if an agreement cannot be reached before the current spending bills run out, Republicans are ready to sign on to another temporary spending bill to allow the government to continue without interruption while we work out the remaining differences. Republicans have been bending over backwards to avoid what we know some here in the administration are recommending. The disruption, the heartache, the uncertainty that government shutdown has introduced into peoples' lives are not necessary, and the Republicans have no desire to provoke a confrontation with the President. Let us continue to work together to pass the remaining spending bills and avoid a government shutdown.”