GOP Shutdown Watch 9/14: “Why would you want to do that again?” Edition

The clock is ticking as Congress inches closer to the October 1 deadline to fund the government and avoid yet another destructive shutdown. While the majority of Americans oppose a shutdown and are prepared to blame Republicans if it happens again, GOP leaders still don’t have a plan to keep the government open:

Headlines of the Day:

Politico: Majority of Americans: Planned Parenthood fight not worth a government shutdown

U.S. News and World Report: As Oct 1 deadline looms, intense partisanship complicates GOP leaders' bid to avert shutdown

Huffington Post: John Kasich Points Out The Idiocy Of Shutting Down The Government Over Planned Parenthood

Quote of the Day:

“‘Having charged up the hill once and been shot down, why would you want to do that again?’ said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., an ally of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.” [U.S. News and World Report, 9/14/15]

Fact of the Day:

According to a new CNN/ORCN poll released today, more than seven in 10 Americans said they would prefer a budget agreement to prevent the government from shutting down.

Number to Know:

6.6 million: During Republicans’ 16-day government shutdown in 2013, federal employees were furloughed for a combined total of 6.6 million days, more than during any previous government shutdown.