Rep. Broun says Dems 'want to shut down the government'

Tea Party Republican Paul Broun (Ga.) on Monday evening accused Democrats of purposefully wanting to shut down the government.

"I believe they're dodging their responsibilities on purpose," Broun said on the House floor. "The Democratic leadership is trying to pack us into a corner with only two ways out: keep spending money at their outrageous levels, or shut down the government.

"I believe they actually want to shut down the government for their own political purposes," he added.

Broun was followed by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), who said Republicans are still trying to attach a rider to the FY 2011 spending bill that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

As of Monday night, there was still no budget agreement in sight, and Republicans appeared to be insisting on $61 billion in cuts from FY 2010 spending levels. Democrats have indicated a willingness to cut $33 billion.

Evening speeches on Monday night started on a more bipartisan note, as 10 members of the House, including seven from New Jersey, offered brief tributes to Rep. John Adler, a Democrat from New Jersey who won election in 2008 but then lost in 2010. Adler, 51, died of a bacterial infection after emergency heart surgery.

The House adjourned at 9:21 p.m. 

--this story was updated at 9:24 p.m.