Politics & Government

Capuano on Shutdown: 'Right Now I Don't See an End to It'

"We are not going to repeal health care. Period," said Somerville Rep. Michael Capuano.

Rep. Michael Capuano, a Somerville native who formerly served as the city's mayor, spoke on WBUR's 'Radio Boston' Wednesday afternoon about the federal government shutdown.

Speaking on the show, Capuano said, "There's no way to tell" how long the shutdown would continue. "Right now I don't see an end to it."

"It's hard for me to see at the moment where the Republicans can change their tactics, but I hope they can," he said.

The interview broadcast on air was different than the one posted online, but you can hear the online interview with Capuano here.

Asked about a series of smaller bills designed to fund services for veterans, national parks and the city of Washington D.C., Capuano said, "We're not going to play that game. That's a cynical game" designed to to pass only programs Republicans like, the Democratic congressman said.

"We just went through an election where Democrats got more votes [than Republicans]," he said. "Why would we render ourselves irrelevant?"

He said that approach would mean things like student loans, food stamps and public housing programs wouldn't be funded, and those are programs Capuano thinks are valuable. "Our job is not to simply fold," he said.

By Wednesday afternoon, a number of Republicans had backed the idea of passing a "clean" funding bill, meaning one that doesn't impact the Affordable Care Act.

Capuano said he wasn't certain he would support such a bill. He wouldn't support a resolution "that slashes the programs I support," he said.

About the Affordable Care Act, the congressman said, "We are not going to repeal health care. Period."

Capuano said, "Too many thoughtful and moderate republicans are being held hostage themselves" by members of the Tea Party.


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