WASHINGTON — Nobody is backing down from the standoff that so far has shuttered the government for a week.
House Speaker John Boehner declared Sunday that it’s time for Republicans to “stand and fight” to roll back ObamaCare as part of any deal to end the partial government shutdown.
“They believe that ObamaCare [and] all these regulations coming out of the administration are threatening the future for our kids and our grandkids, and it’s time for us to stand and fight,” the Ohio Republican said on ABC’s “This Week.”
Boehner blamed President Obama for refusing to negotiate with Repubicans to end the shutdown.
“I’m ready for the phone call. I’m ready for a conversation,” he said. “I’m a reasonable guy.”
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew on CBS pointed the finger at Republicans, calling Congress “irresponsible and reckless for shutting the government down.”
The unyielding stance on both sides has stoked fears that the fight will prevent Congress from raising the nation’s debt limit before an Oct. 17 deadline, when the government would face default and a likely economic crash.
“Congress is playing with fire if they don’t extend the debt limit,” Lew said on CNN’s “State of the Union” as he made the administration’s case on all five major Sunday talk shows.
Boehner said the GOP-led House would not pass a “clean” bill that raised the $16.7 trillion debt limit without adding GOP measures, such as budget and entitlement reforms.
He also said there were not enough votes in the House to pass a “clean” spending bill that Obama demands in order to open the government.
Democrats insist that enough House Republicans would vote to pass it.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), also on “This Week,” offered a “friendly challenge” to the speaker.
“Put it on the floor Monday or Tuesday,” he said. “Put it on the floor, and let’s see if you’re right.”