Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), a member of the Tea Party caucus, joined Craig Melvin on MSNBC Saturday to discuss the government shutdown.
Barton said that Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is not calling the shots for the Republicans, disputing a report from Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) in the New York Times.
He then went on to say that President Obama is “calling the shots by refusing to negotiate.”
“The president says he’ll negotiate with the terrorists overseas, but he won’t negotiate with speaker Boehner to keep the government going,” Barton argued.
Earlier Saturday morning on the House floor, Barton questioned why Obama care had to be mandatory. “Let’s make it voluntary.”
Melvin explained the people have decided and that is why the law made it through the House, saying President Obama’s 2012 election win verified that.
“I don’t think Governor Romney made Obamacare a key part of his presidential campaign,” Barton said.
Watch the clip above and let us know what you think in the comments.
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.