Democrats, and even some Republicans, are pushing for the House to pass a clean continuing resolution to end the government shutdown — but according to Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) the votes just aren’t there.
On Sunday, Boehner told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that the House of Representatives is not prepared to schedule a vote on a continuing resolution to fund the government, citing a lack of necessary votes.
“There are not the votes in the House to pass a clean CR,” Boehner said.
The Speaker also said that the House was not going to pass a clean debt limit increase, and noted that President Barack Obama was risking a credit default by refusing to sit down and negotiate with Republicans.
“We are not going to pass a clean debt limit increase,” said Boehner. “I told the President, there’s no way we’re going to pass one, the votes are not in the House to pass a clean debt limit, and the President is risking default by not having a conversation with us.”
Obama has been steadfast in his refusal to negotiate with the Republicans over funding to reopen the government or an increase in the debt ceiling.
And with the lack of votes, there’s seemingly no end in sight for the government shutdown.
When Stephanopoulos asked about a possible end to the federal government closure, Boehner had no specific answer.
“If I knew, I’d tell you,” said Boehner.
