Jeff Fortenberry Opposes Government Shutdown Over Obamacare

At a town hall in his home district Monday, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) told constituents he would not support a proposal to shut down the government if Obamacare is not defunded.

According to the Lincoln Journal Star, Fortenberry said the proposal would have "very significant consequences" for the nation without accomplishing its intended goal. After all, President Barack Obama will not sign into law a bill that repeals his signature health care reform.

"There has to be a better way," Fortenberry said, noting that he opposes Obamacare in its current form.

In recent weeks, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) has been leading an effort to shut down the government unless Obamacare is repealed. He wants Republicans to refuse to pass a continuing resolution to fund the federal government after Sept. 30 if it includes funding for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

The proposed government shutdown has been met with criticism on both sides of the aisle. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) recently said there are "more effective ways" of rejecting Obamacare than pushing for a government shutdown, and Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) stated the GOP's "extremism is hurting the economy."

The Journal Star also reported that Fortenberry addressed Congress' dismal approval rate, stemming from unrelenting partisanship. Fortenberry stressed that "a lot of members want to do something constructive" to move the country forward.

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