Boehner Throws Down Gauntlet on Govt Shutdown

House Speaker John Boehner has sent a clear signal that a government shutdown my be imminent if the Senate and White House do not acquiesce to the House GOP plan to dramatically slash 2011 spending levels.

Boehner told reporters on Thursday that if Republicans and Democrats cannot agree on a plan to fund the government for the remaining seven months of the fiscal year, he will not agree to a plan for another short-term “Continuing Resolution” measure that would keep the government operating while negotiations continued, unless it also includes cuts.