Updated 7:30 p.m. ET 9/30/13
Washington (CNN) - Moderate House Republicans who wanted to fund the government with no strings attached failed to line up votes against a House GOP plan to renew federal coffers while chipping away at Obamacare.
Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pennsylvania, Rep. Peter King, R-New York, and others feverishly made calls to stage what would have been effectively a revolt.
They said they were hoping there were enough GOP members like them who were fed up with the tactics of the leadership that they can find enough votes to defeat the first procedural measure, known as the rule.
That would have prevented the House GOP leadership from even bringing their plan up at all. Because the moderate Republicans failed to generate enough support, the broader GOP bill that includes anti-Obamacare provisions will now go to a final vote.
Given the makeup of the GOP caucus, the House Republican moderates needed 17 Republicans to agree to defy their leadership, and be willing to face what will undoubtedly be the wrath of the conservative grassroots.
"We have people in the conference, I believe, who'd be just as happy to have the government shutdown," King said. "They live in these narrow echochambers. They listen to themselves and their tea party friends. That keeps them going, forgetting that the rest of the country thinks we're crazy."
Or Mike they are standing up for what they believe in, which is a party that doesnt hold its government and people hostage.
It would be so nice to have a government that actually governed responsibly and hopefully this is a step in that direction
Purge these moronic RINOs from the GOP. They cave to the Democrats every time.
Hoping this is true. I am a Democrat by default because the two parties have become like Sane vs Insane. Really want the moderate GOP members to become stronger. I wish them good luck and i mean that sincerely.
go ahead RINO'S – your days are number and will end on 2014 !!!!
Hey Mike, Muslims who strap bombs to themselves and kill women and children "believe" in what they are doing as well. Does that make them as "strong" as your teaparty extremists?
If the moderate Republicans can pull this off, they will be considered "superheros."
Right and wrong may not be exclusively the property of the Liberals?
The GOP moderates are reclaiming their party from the GOP crazies, I wish them luck and miss their leadership.
Watched Fox a little this weekend... can't believe the repubs are saying it's Obama's fault if the government shuts down because HE won't compomise. Geez, seems to me he's done nothing but compromise with these fools. His arm must be in pain with all that holding out of the olive branch. The ACA (Obamacare) is a done deal. They need to get over it.
The "moderate" Republicans are simply allowing Harry Reid to have his way yet again. For a tiny breathless little fart of a being, he sure has the conservatives scared. The Democrats are the true "Party of No."
If the Republicans cave in to Harry Reid now, they can kiss 2014 AND 2016 goodbye!
@Duane If that is true then I disagree with them but I respect their decision to stand up for what they believe in. We don't need sheep as elected officials...
i bet you this is a game like any other previous debt ceiling fights. they'll do the so-called dance and then say they've came to a compromise at the last minute. then both parties will take up enormous amount of media time to gain their 5secs of fame stating they've won. then blah blah blah...blah blah blah.
It's about time someone had the pelotas to stand up the radicalism. This type of nonsense on either side is non-productive. I applaud this group of Republicans and if one happens to be from my district would consider taking a look next election cycle.
The "moderate" Republicans are simply allowing Harry Reid to have his way yet again. For a tiny breathless little phart of a being, he sure has the conservatives scared. The Democrats are the true "Party of No."
If the Republicans cave in to Harry Reid now, they can kiss 2014 AND 2016 goodbye!
Men and women standing up to do the right thing – first hopeful news article I've read in ages. That is real leadership, not trying to use an emergency situation to strong arm the destruciton of Obamacare.
Regardless of the decision the Republican Party already hurt themselves.
Let them shut it down. After two weeks of shut down the tea partiers will be purged and Congress can get down to business.
@GovtReform, no but these guys aren't religious extremists murdering people. You may disagree with what they are saying but a rational human being could see their viewpoints. Islamic extremists are religious fanatics....
thank god for moderates or nothing would be done thanks to you teatards. it takes a strong man to stand up an say no more . these men are no longer just going to go with what there leadership says, i salute you for what your doing right.
Funny how they are terrified to anger the lunatic fringe. What do they think they'll vote Democratic? The majority of the country is moderate so why aren't they worried about upsetting the majority?
The "moderate" Republicans are simply allowing Harry Reid to have his way yet again. For a tiny breathless little turd of a being, he sure has the conservatives scared. The Democrats are the true "Party of No."
If the Republicans cave in to Harry Reid now, they can kiss 2014 AND 2016 goodbye!
Hey Amy, if you had a clue what Obama Care would do for you and our country you wouldn't be making such
a stupid comment. Start reading and stop watching Fox news. Their interest is the insurance companies.
Trust when I say if Congress was not getting free medical care for life and their cushy jobs were included in
the shut down or previous sequester, they wouldn't be doing this. Of course, they still get their paybacks from special interest and then they become lobbyist afterwards and make more money.
Any congressman or senator who does not represent the people should not be holding this job! We need to get rid of
the lobbyist.
It is ironic to see Democrats rooting for "moderate" Republicans to use their minority power to thwart the legislation of the Republican majority – while condemning the Republican minority in the Senate for doing the very same thing. I wish political supporters could think beyond the concept of "my team must win" instead of thinking what's best for America. Obamacare in its current form is not best for America. Talk to anybody who has lost coverage for a spouse or had costs go up recently. This is a bad law.
All these hacks care about is ensuring their own re-election and a lifetime of government funded benefits. They've already refused to accept Obamacare for themselves. The Government Shutdown should begin on Capitol Hill and in the White House.
I would be so proud if the GOP actually stood up to the Tea Party and took the GOP back to their roots of small government and personal liberty from where they are now as the minority, women, gay bashing and fear mongering party... when the primary debates are all about a woman's right to use contraception then something is extremely wrong with your party..... Tell the Tea Party to go to hell and go back to the roots of small government and personal privacy and I may even vote (R) in the next election!