Rep. Swalwell Condemns Government Shutdown Forced by Tea Party

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) released the following statement after the House failed to pass a bill to fund the government before the new fiscal year began at midnight:

"Tonight, in pursuit of a radical, fanciful obsession to repeal the Affordable Care Act, House Republicans shirked the responsibility of governing and have shut down government for the first time in 17 years. Congress' basic responsibility is funding the federal government. Instead of putting forward a bill that funds the government, House Republicans -- led by the Tea Party -- are staging a stand-off, demanding a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, or every American suffers.

"Americans deserve better, and I stand ready to work with anyone, from either party, who will come to the table and keep the government working without using harsh, brutal stand-off tactics. In fact, earlier this evening, I convened a bipartisan coalition of members of the United Solutions Caucus -- a group I helped form -- in my office to discuss ways to avert a shutdown. I look forward to continued discussions with my colleagues and to supporting a common sense solution to this crisis."