GOP governors urge Congress to not shut down government

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Republican governors are urging their counterparts in Congress to not shut down the U.S. government as part of an effort to block Obamacare.

A range of Republican governors from across the nation say a political standoff in Washington over financing President Barack Obama's healthcare law before the start of fiscal year 2014 this fall could backfire if the GOP is seen as bringing the federal government to a halt, The New York Times reported Sunday.

"I have made the case that Obamacare is not good for the economy, but I have some real concerns about potentially doing something that would have a negative impact on the economy just for the short term -- I think there are other ways to pursue this," Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin said.

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple agreed, saying a government shutdown would invariably be blamed on Congress.

"I've never felt that shutting down government function is a wise thing to do politically because I think, whoever is involved in it, it's the Congress, regardless of what party they're affiliated with, that will be blamed by the public," Dalrymple said. "And so, to me, I don't see what it accomplishes."

"Many of the members of this party do not want to fund Obamacare, but what we have to do as governors who work with our legislators is realize the reality of being able to get something passed," said Gov. Phil Bryant of Mississippi.