WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after disarray in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives stalled bipartisan negotiations aimed at reopening the government and preventing a default crisis, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:

“This shutdown and political brinksmanship is hurting the economy.  It’s time for it to stop.  The Senate passed a bill to open the government weeks ago and it sits on the Speaker of the House’s desk.  The Senate tried to pass a bill to prevent default this Saturday and it was filibustered.  I am willing to support sensible proposals that open the government and prevent the economic calamity of default, but the House needs to come to the middle ground as Republican and Democratic Senate leaders proposed yesterday.  The American people deserve to have their government reopened and the country’s credit worthiness preserved, and I’m hopeful we can get a common-sense agreement to do so.”