As the federal government hurtled toward a partial shutdown at midnight, Sen. Bernie Sanders said it would be devastating for thousands of federal employees in Vermont. “This is going to hit Vermont hard and it's going to hit America hard,” Sanders said in a Monday afternoon floor speech. “If a shutdown continues, it would be devastating for families who have kids in Head Start. If a shutdown continues, it would be devastating for seniors who are on the Meals on Wheels program,” he added. The impasse continued because House Republicans insisted on defunding or delaying Obamacare as part of any deal to avert a shutdown. Sanders welcomed a debate over health care, but blasted the tactics of right-wing Republicans in the House using a government shutdown to try to get their way. “What this debate is about is blackmail and hostage-taking,” he said, “and that is unacceptable.”

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