Warning sign along northbound Interstate 17 in metropolitan Phoenix, Oct. 6, 2013.Arizona elected officials continued their criticism of various political players in the federal government shutdown, as it entered its seventh day Monday.
U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., issued a statement over the weekend saying he had canceled appearances in his Southern Arizona 2nd district to stay in Washington and work on reopening the government.
“This shutdown is wrong and Arizona families should not be penalized for Congress’ failure to do its job and pass a budget,” Barber said in the statement. “I am pleased that the House passed this bill with a bipartisan majority. Now let’s get to work and end this government shutdown.”
State Rep. Bob Thorpe, R-Flagstaff, issued a statement Monday accusing President Barack Obama of being "politically vindictive" in not moving to reopen governmental agencies, including the National Park Service.
"These mean-spirited actions appear to be geared at inflicting the greatest amount of inconvenience and harm to our citizens and visitors, merely for short term political gain," Thorpe said in a statement.
Thorpe and other state officials have called on Obama to allow parks to reopen, specifically the Grand Canyon, which attracts thousands of visitors and $1.3 million in spending each day on average.
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