http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/republican-legislation-would--prevent-another-shutdown-2007-09-19.htmlRepublican legislation would prevent another shutdown By Alexander Bolton
September 19, 2007
Twelve years after conservative Republicans in Congress were blamed for shutting down the government, they are introducing legislation to ensure that government continues to function no matter what.
Anticipating a showdown with Democrats that could force government offices to close, President Bush is backing the legislation.
It’s quite a change from 1995, when Republicans took over Congress, vowing to slash government and even abolish the Departments of Education and Energy as excessive bureaucracy.
Now conservatives say it is Democrats who want to force a government shutdown in order to coerce President Bush into accepting an additional $23 billion in spending.
“The Democrats intend to play chicken with the president because the president has said he will veto bills,” said Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.), chairman of the conservative Senate Republican Steering Committee. “The Democrats want to frighten Republicans in Congress and the American people.”