One of the most prominent developers of the plan that could shut the government down is a little-known congressman who has been in office only eight months. This newly elected tea party aligned lawmaker downplays his position, saying he has relatively little influence. But in reality, his efforts have pushed Washington to the brink. At issue is the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Some Republicans are demanding that it be dismantled -- or at the very least delayed - and they think the best way to do that is attach it to a must-pass bill to fund the government.
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A little-known, freshman congressman is flexing his legislative muscle in Congress
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Mark Meadows insisted on strategy of defunding of Obamacare as a condition of new spending
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Local tea party organizer says Meadows "is becoming our poster boy"
The idea has rankled @placeholder for more than a week and exposed fissures in the Republican Party.