This is the first time in 17 years that the federal government has shut down. A group of moderates in the House had attempted to revolt against Speaker Boehner with a continuing resolution (CR) that did not have ObamaCare defunding or delaying attached. The effort was lead by Rep. King of New York. However, the moderates were quickly shut down.

The White House said Obama placed calls to top lawmakers, continuing to press the Republican leadership for six weeks of government funding, free of any “ideological riders.”  Obviously, little headway was made by the President.

In a video address, Barack Obama placed the blame on Congress.

“We urge Congress to act quickly to pass a Continuing Resolution to provide a short-term bridge that ensures sufficient time to pass a budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, and to restore the operation of critical public services and programs that will be impacted by a lapse in appropriations.”

A shutdown would leave some essential functions like national security intact but sharply cut many regulatory agencies, furloughing up to a million federal workers. Some functions deemed essential, such as US Department of Agriculture meat inspections, would continue. Other agencies, like theEnvironmental Protection Agency, will furlough most of their workers.

Roughly 3/4 of the Obama’s president’s 1,701-person staff will be furloughed. The Obama family will have to rough it with only 15 people to care for their family. They normally have 90 people taking care of the family. Vice President Biden, who has a staff of 24, would have to make do with 12.

The video and the memorandum are below.