Exclusive Interview with Congressman Charles Rangel, U.S. Representative for New York's 15th congressional district.

In an exclusive interview on The Hutchinson Report Newsmaker Hour with host Earl Ofari Hutchinson on KTYM 1460 AM Los Angeles on April 1, Congressman Charles Rangel, U.S. Representative for New York's 15th congressional district

Transcription by Annette Lockett, McAl Typing Service  * 323-293-3244 * FAX 323-293-0404 * E-Mail ptnana@pacbell.net

EOH:    What is the possibility of a Congressional Budget shut-down?

CR:      It’s possible.  The answer to your question is basically in the hands of what they call senators that have been supported by the Tea Party.  These are people who want no compromise, and therefore if there is no compromise, there is no agreement.  And then the government will close down.

EOH:    We understand April 8^th is the date that funding essentially ends if there is no budget agreement.  Is that accurate?

CR:      April 8^th is the deadline.  Without that. then only essential services will be provided by the United States Government.

EOH:    Is Representative Mike Spence of Indiana really willing to shut this government down and have a fight with you and the Democrats in Congress?

CR:      There won’t be a fight with us.  We certainly don’t want the government to shut down.  Their fight is with conventional republicans that don’t believe that they are conservative enough or cutting enough.  They said that they wanted to cut the $100 billion.  They then agreed in the house $60 billion and the Tea Party senators are saying that they want the $100 billion.  They don’t know the word compromise.  They think it’s a wrong term, they think it’s immoral, and that’s going to rise to whether or not we close or don’t close down our government.