In the News

 

By Jenna Sachs

 

NEW BERLIN (WITI) — A couple Wisconsin lawmakers were home this weekend — and spoke out on the ongoing government shutdown. As of Sunday, October 6th, we were in Day Six of the shutdown, and party gridlock seems tighter than ever.

 

Both Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner and Congresswoman Gwen Moore were back in Wisconsin after the possibility of progress in ending the government shutdown looked bleak heading into the weekend.

 

“The debt is hanging over this country like the black plague,” Congressman Sensenbrenner said.

 

As the government shutdown continues, Sensenbrenner returned to Wisconsin for a 40-hour visit, which included a Sunday night Town Hall Meeting with constituents on Sunday, October 6th.

 

Most at the meeting appeared to be supporters of the Republican congressman. However, there were some who were critical of Republican efforts to derail the Affordable Care Act — also known as Obamacare.

 

“I don’t think Obamacare is like the Ten Commandments,” Sensenbrenner said.

 

Republican leadership has said there is no end to the shutdown in sight, unless Democrats make concessions.

 

“Unfortunately the president and the Democrats in the Senate have refused to negotiate,” Sensenbrenner said.

 

Also back in Wisconsin for 40 hours is Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore. Moore says Democrats have already made concessions on the budget.

 

“As this drags on the impact of this will hurt more and more Americans. $70 billion. That’s billion with a b. Dollars below what even the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee says is sustainable,” Congresswoman Moore said.

 

Moore says the health care reforms will help families avoid bankruptcy.

 

“It limits for a family only $6,000 some out of pocket that any family will ever have to spend because they’ve had an illness,” Moore said.

 

“Obamacare is not ready for prime time and the administration has had 3 ½ years,” Sensenbrenner said.

 

Sensenbrenner says at the least, he wants to see Obamacare delayed by one year.

 

“Unless we get spending under control, we’re not going to have a healthy economy,” Sensenbrenner said.

 

Moore says she was able to come home this weekend because the Majority Leader in the House had not planned any votes.

 

Sensenbrenner’s meeting Sunday night was scheduled before the shutdown, but Sensenbrenner told the crowd this may be his last visit to Wisconsin for some time.