Update: As Government Shutdown Looms, Democrats And Republicans Start Pointing Fingers. Learning Process

Update: As Government Shutdown Looms, Democrats And Republicans Start Pointing Fingers.

Written on April 7, 2011 – 5:12 am | by Justin Fraser

Just hours away from a potential government shutdown, Democrats and Republicans still haven’t reached an agreement on the federal budget and are pointing fingers when it comes to who is at blame for the impasse.

“Most of the policy issues have been dealt with,” said House Speaker John Boehner. “When (Republicans) say we’re serious about cutting spending, we’re damn serious about it.”

Late Thursday night, President Obama urged Congress to come to an agreement by Friday morning, pointing out that shutting down government operations would only hurt federal workers, the people who rely on their services and reverse the growth the economy is finally starting to see.

“For us to go backwards because Washington couldn’t get its act together is unacceptable,” said the President.

Senator Harry Reid told reporters that the Senate would push for an extension that would keep the government open for another week, but not reduce spending–a move that is unlikely to be approved, noted CNN.

According to The New York Times, Republicans and Democrats are at a standstill over about $1 billion or $2 billion–Boehner sought to cut spending by $39 billion, while Democrats were ready to accept $37 billion. By mid-morning Friday, Reid stated that Democrats were willing to accept $38 billion.

Some have reported that an agreement on $38 billion was made Thursday, but fell apart overnight, reported The Wall Street Journal. House Appropriations committee Chairman Hal Rogers, however, said that no agreement was ever made.

“There is no number. The main negotiations are about the number, savings, spending,” said Rogers.

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