Government shutdown still stalemated on 7th day

The government shutdown continues, and so does the war of words.

As the shutdown entered its seventh day, President Barack Obama put the impetus squarely on Speaker of the House John Boehner to end the stalemate.

"If Republicans and Speaker Boehner are saying there aren't enough votes, then they should prove it," he said Monday. "Let the bill go to the floor and let's see what happens. Just vote."

"My very strong suspicion is there are enough votes there," the president said while making a stop at the FEMA National Response Coordination Center, where some furloughed employees had been called back to respond to a potential hurricane threat but may be furloughed again as the storm dissipates. "Hold a vote. Call a vote right now. Let's see what happens.''

But Boehner spent his Sunday selling the opposite story, telling ABC's "This Week" the support for a continuing resolution wasn't there.

"There are not votes in the House to pass a clean CR," Boehner said.

Contrary to Boehner's position, however, whip counts and multiple reports indicate enough Republicans have publicly broken with the speaker and said they would support the so-called "clean CR," which would reopen the government at previous levels and raise the debt ceiling.

And Obama pointed out the budget is already enough compromise, because it includes the budget cuts put in place by the sequester.

"The bill that is being presented to end the government shutdown reflects Republican priorities," Obama said. "It is the Republican budget."

In fact, House Democrats have moved to force a vote on the "clean CR," circulating a a "discharge petition," which would force the vote over Boehner's objections if a majority of members sign it.

With the 200 Democrats almost certain to support the petition and a subsequent vote, just 18 Republicans would need to break with their majority to pass a resolution to reopen the government.

And despite his stance Sunday, Boehner indicated he would be willing to allow a vote, breaking the so-called Hastert rule that would require the support of a majority of Republicans before bringing a bill to the floor.

Members of the Republican caucus said Boeher told them he would be willing to allow a vote on raising the debt limit to avoid a default, even without the support of most of his party.