Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) issued the following statement on the shutdown of the federal government:

“I am tremendously disappointed that the Senate has failed to pass legislation keeping the government open.  At every step of the way, the House has attempted to find common ground and has passed legislation that is good for the American people.  Yet, on the other side of the Capitol, Senate leadership refused to budge an inch.  Additionally, the president failed to play any kind of constructive role in this process.  He has the bully pulpit, and he chose to use it for political grandstanding, rather than engaging with the Congress.

“Despite the government shutdown, all of my staff will be working, both in my district offices and in Washington, D.C.  I was elected to serve the people of Missouri’s Sixth District, and my staff is here to work on your behalf.

“Americans expect their elected officials to work together to solve problems, and I remain committed to reaching an agreement that both provides fairness to the American people when it comes to Obamacare and re-opens the federal government.”