Apr 7, 2011 1 min read

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mark S. Critz, D-Johnstown, is speaking out negatively after House Republicans on Thursday rejected the Democratic proposal to fund the government for one more week while Congress and the president work toward a longer-term budgetary solution.

Instead of working together, Republicans brought a bill to the floor that will not pass the Senate and will not be signed into law by the president, Critz said.

?”If the government shuts down, families and taxpayers across the country will pay the price — in lost jobs and the denial of vital government services,” said Critz.

“This country was founded on the ideas of compromise, and House Republicans need to stop playing political games and get serious about working together to pass a real budget for the American people.”

Earlier this year, House Republicans endorsed a measure making $61 billion in cuts from current spending levels.

Last week, Democratic and Republican negotiators in the House agreed to $33 billion in reductions but now Republicans are demanding $39 billion.