GOP Rep. Joe Walsh: Government shutdown could be necessary

Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), who has argued that a government shutdown might actually be good for the country, did not back down from that claim today when he spoke to CBS News' Nancy Cordes on Washington Unplugged today.

"This is the most serious financial situation I think we've had. The American people get that" Walsh said. "And so if we need a jolt, if we need the government shutdown for a few days for us to really get serious, I think the American people are with that."

For House Speaker John Boehner to get through the current fight over spending, and emerge from it unscathed, he's going to have to satisfy Tea Party freshmen like Walsh. He told Cordes that 99 percent of the constituents he had spoken to at his recent town halls said they'd rather see the government shut down, at least temporarily, than see Republicans compromise and agree to fewer spending cuts than the $61 billion included in the House passed bill to keep the government operating through September.

When asked if shutting down the government would be responsible, Walsh said it could be what's necessary to get Congress to take cutting spending seriously.

"Because right now we're on a path where your little daughter, who's two years old playing soccer, her future is gonna be bankrupted unless we do something," asserted Walsh.

While Walsh was vague about what could possibly break the stalemate between the White House, Senate Democrats and House Republicans, he did find plenty of fault with the conduct of the Democrats.

"President Obama's AWOL. He's not even participating in this," Walsh said. "And the Senate democrats haven't been serious."

Walsh said that Boehner's been forced into "negotiating with himself" since Senate Democrats refused to pass a spending bill of their own.

And while he defended the speaker's role in negotiations so far, Walsh argued that freshmen Republicans will still be keeping Boehner's feet to the fire as negotiations continue.

"A lot of the help that freshmen like me can provide is to remind him of what the American people want" Walsh said. "And they want us to be bold. They don't want a timid compromise."

Walsh will be joining the Tea Party Patriots this coming Thursday for a rally on Capitol Hill that they are calling a "Continuing Revolution," a play on the spending bill's official title, Continuing Resolution. The principal goals of that rally are to keep pressure on Republican leaders not to cave on the spending cuts or other policy provisions that were tacked onto the GOP bill to defund the health care bill.

"A lot of the help that freshman like me can provide is to remind him of what the American people want. And they want us to be bold," asserted Walsh. "They don't want a timid compromise. Compromise is ok but not a timid one. So we want to again, gently nudge [Boehner] to be bold."

Lawmakers have less than two weeks to work out differences before the current Continuing Resolution expires. If they are unable to reach an agreement, and do not pass another short term spending measure, the government would shut down. If they are able to break the impasse, then it's on to the next big fight according to Walsh.

"You ain't seen nothing yet" promised Walsh. "The fight in a month when it comes to the budget, will be huge, because the dollars we're talking about are much much larger. We need to get to that."

[jonnyjv47]

After listening to your opinion I just figured out you'll be a Fressman because your going out next election. To say what you said against the President. If you look at who to blame try first both Ex-Presidents Bush.Started this country going down because of wars we shouldn't of been in. Second blame yourself. You Republicans are Power and Money hundry. You need to start with yourselves before you blame others. Non of you are representing the people. Look at your wages, bonuses, retirement. Look at sports players and movie stars. For the first time in my life I'm ashamed of our Government. While the American people struggle without jobs, insurance, money, loosing their houses you so called leaders live a life of abundance and never having to wonder about your future. You all should resign from your office. Next election will tell what the people think of you.

[tryhonesty]

The Cancer is the Greedy OLD Party Tea Bags! Look forward to kicking your rears OUT in 2012!

[jimbom121]

If anyone actually believes that Repubs have any interest in actually reducing the deficit, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Their proposal will put us back into a recession. How will that help the deficit?

Meanwhile, while the GOP is proposing lowering taxes for the wealthy and corporations, and refusing to close loopholes, they are cutting investment in transportation, education, alternative energies, and infastructure.

Just how will this help the deficit? Oh yeah, they are proposing an increase to defense spedning and NASCAR.

[RobAla]

Constitutionally, national defense is the first duty of the federal government - not investing in transportation, education, alternative energies, and infrastructure. These items are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Education is run by the states - the federal government should not be involved at all. The other items may be nice to do - if the government has the money - it doesn't. We are $14.3 trillion in debt, and the federal government is projected to add another $1.65 trillion in deficit spending this year. This is insane. The Republicans suggest cutting the massive over spending by $61 billion - less than 2% of the outrageous spending. NASCAR??? Are you referring to the money that the US Army uses for advertisement? We have an all volunteer military - do you want to go back to the draft? I agree that neither political party is making serious attempts to deal with the disaster of massive overspending by the federal government.

[jimbom121]

Rob

Most of our defense budget goes to corporate america...that was not part of the constitution, as its become a pork barrel.
Does the Army really need to advertise on NASCAR, when you are cutting education???? Where are our priorities? If we cut education and innovation, we won't need an army.

[RobAla]

The nation would not be in this budget mess if Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid had done their jobs last year, instead of failing to pass a budget for 2011. They absolutely FAILED TO DO THEIR JOB, while instead spending the time cramming a disastrous health care law down the throats of a majority of Americans who do not want it.

We need to never forget why the United States government is dealing with a chance of shutdown, and why many programs are in danger of not being funded. Some programs may need to be removed from funding, but they should be removed intentionally - not by simple neglect. Reid and Pelosi did the nation a disservice, and they are a disgrace.

[catmomtx]

by retm-w March 29, 2011 4:53 PM EDT
Shut it down let all those teaparty people miss their Social Security checks for a month or two. Then we'll see if that doesn't change their minds about their teaparty republicans.
Reply to this comment

The tea party don't seem to understand that their Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, extra help to pay their Medicare premiums, prescription coverage, Meals on Wheels, help in their homes, nursing home payments for their loved one, ect. are government programs and are facing cuts or will be impacted by a government shut down. Fox, Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity and the like have convinced them that only shiftless, lazy illegals and minorities depend on the programs that will be cut or shut down by Republicans.

[retm-w]

Shut it down, but let's make sure joe walsh and the rest of congress and senate is shut down to, no paychecks, benefit payments, all of their offices shut down, no pay for their staffs. Wonder how long it would be before they came up with a budget.

[mb91764]

Let it shutdown,just like all the companys that went overseas.They don't sign my paycheck.Never done a damn thing except waste money for the last 40 years.All they can do anymore is blame each other for the mess we in.Bottom line is both partys have equal blame.Is there not anybody in Washington that can stand-up and say,"Yes,I help make this mess."When i made mistakes in life I did not blame my mom or someone else.I man-up and said ,"I srcewup Big Time.".So lets fix this mess now,because the longer we wait the bigger the hole we digging for our kids.Let make some real cuts to ever deptment of goverment,none are to big to take there fair share.Defense needs a real slashing,we do not need $220 million jet fighters to kill terrorist or some of the other crap they want.Any how our war on terror is like our war on drugs,a loser.Welfare got to have a real cut,stop with the giving to moms who sorry to quit having kids and the illegals.Lets just say that the whole goverment needs a house cleaning.

[SandmanUSMC]

The GOP in Congress wants to shut down every bit of government except that which they rely on for pork.

Let's see: Should we slash 1 Trillion in oil tax breaks and defense, or should we slash teachers?

Answer: Let's slash teachers! Who needs them?

As the allegiances of the Tea Party are become blatantly clear, America will take note. They are in for a huge wake up call in 2012.

[retm-w]

djindependent

Typical teaparty member reply. It's not the dems that want to give Social Security to wall st. It's your idiot teaparty republicans.
By the way you're an A$$HOLE.

[ipeachobamaB4itstolate]

did you know...CBS....does not let most to post against the DEms....CBS must own obama .....and you call fox one sided

[knownhost]

"you can put the pointer on the "X" and shut down this News Site... IF you want."

Good idea. I'm tired of playing in this liberal playpen. Those who believe as I do only get mud thrown at us. I'll leave you to play with yourselves. You are obviously accustomed to that.