Below is a statement released by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) regarding the government shutdown:

"Congressional Republicans’ refusal to back off their extreme demands has led to a shutdown of American government.  The Tea Party government shutdown will cause significant economic damage.  Our neighbors, veterans and business owners back home will suffer the consequences, such as delays in receiving veterans benefits they have earned, a halt to new cancer treatment trials, job losses and furloughs. 

"The House Republicans’ dysfunction is rooted in their refusal to negotiate an overall budget for the country with the U.S. Senate.  House Republicans offered an unrealistic, make-believe budget proposal and then refused to meet in a budget conference with the Senate.  House Republicans believed that they would have more leverage if they threatened a government shutdown.  Their uncompromising ideology has taken them down the path to shutdown and America down the road to chaos. 

"The Tea Party Republicans have failed in their most important responsibilities and a lack of backbone from House Republican leaders has allowed them to do it.  They are holding the American economy hostage and have charted a course job losses, pain and economic uncertainty."

Also see attached timeline of congressional actions that forced the government shutdown.