Who knows... I don't understand how shutting down federal services really fixes anything? Apparently it happened back in 1995 too. I just feel sorry for people who need their paycheck and can't pay their bills. What do they say to Verizon, Cox, Mortgage, etc? "Sorry I can't pay my bill because the government shut down"
Not to get political here, but you should ask Mr Reid that question. The last time the shutdown belonged to Newt Gingrich. Reid's not off the hook as far as I'm concerned.