New Jersey politicians are speaking out as the federal government shutdown got underway Oct. 1, with Republicans and Democrats echoing the national conversation by blaming the other side for the situation.

Congress failed to reach a funding agreement by the start of the government's fiscal year. The parties proposed separate continuing resolutions, or CRs, that would have provided temporary funding, but both were rejected after they failed to receive the required number of votes.

The dueling measures meant each side had an opening to blame the other for refusing to accept their funding bill. In New Jersey, politicians took that opportunity to accuse their counterparts of prioritizing themselves over their constituents.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, congresswoman for New Jersey's 11th District

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