GOP Lawmakers Call Out CNN Anchor During Tense Exchange Over Gov't Shutdown: 'Whose Bidding Are You Doing?

CNN anchor Ashleigh Banfield clashed with GOP Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Monday over a potential government shutdown and the effort to defund Obamacare. After a tense back-and-forth, Rohrabacher accused the anchor of bias, asking her, “Whose bidding are you doing?"

Banfield began the segment by highlighting a CNN poll that shows 69 percent of Americans believe Republicans are acting like "spoiled children" in the budget debate.

Blackburn argued that the U.S. House offered compromises on budget measures, all of which Senate Democrats have rejected. She also claimed Democrats are not willing to compromise at all and the GOP wants to avert a government shutdown.

(CNN)

“It sounds so simple when you say it like that. It reminds me of the time in the Middle East when the Palestinians and the Israelis say that you want peace, but you both want your way and neither wants to blink in the ridiculous staring contest where we’re the ones who need the Visine," Banfield responded.

When asked why the House GOP tied the effort to defund Obamacare to the continuing resolution that funds the government, Rohrabacher reiterated the fact that Republicans have been trying to find a compromise with Democrats.

“You are acting and telling the listeners that we Republicans are holding this up, and the government is going to shut down," he said.

“Don’t you dare put this back on me,” Banfield shot back. “You can’t make something up.”

Not backing down, Rohrabacher accused the CNN host was doing exactly what the Senate is doing in refusing to having a dialogue with House Republicans about the situation.

"Whose bidding are you doing," Rohrabacher asked.

(H/T: Mediaite)

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