Jeffries Chides GOP Over Government Shutdown

When a temporary funding deal could not be reached at midnight Tuesday, the federal government shut down all non-essential personnel and services nationwide. 

In Brooklyn, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Bed-Stuy) placed the blame squarely at the feet of Republicans — in particular the hardcore conservative "Tea Party" faction.

"House Republicans continue to put forth extreme legislative proposals that have no chance to pass the Senate or be signed into law by the President," Jeffries said in a statement on his website. "The Tea Party-dominated GOP has deliberately set in motion a government shutdown that will harm vulnerable children, seniors, working families and our economy."

Jeffries also called the shutdown an "unnecessary Shakespearean tragedy" in a speech on the house floor Monday night, while the House was preparing to reject a bill and send it back up Capitol Hill. 

Watch the video above, tweeted on Monday by Jeffries.