Braintree Officials Bash Congress Over Dysfunction

President Barack Obama presented Army Capt. William D. Swenson with the Medal of Honor Tuesday at the White House.

Swenson, now seeking a return to active duty, led an effort to push back a Taliban ambush and recover wounded and killed U.S. and Afghani troops during a battle in Eastern Afghanistan in 2009.

Swenson's actions, Braintree Town Councilor Paul "Dan" Clifford said Tuesday night, demonstrated bravery, ability and leadership – qualities "diametrically opposed" to what is going on today in Washington, DC.

Clifford specifically called out Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House John Boehner for their inability to fund the government, avoid a federal shutdown and compromise ahead of the Oct. 17 debt ceiling deadline.

"These guys are not leaders," Clifford said. "Capt. Swenson is a leader."

Criticism of Washington politicians over the shutdown and potential debt default began shortly after Tuesday night's Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence that marks the beginning of council meetings.

"I hope [Congress] takes a moment of common sense to make sure this never happens again," Councilor Leland Dingee said.

With the debt ceiling limit scheduled to hit at midnight, the U.S. Senate continued to work Wednesday morning on a bill that would temporarily end the shutdown and extend the government's borrowing capacity, CNN reported. 

Councilor Sean Powers called Congress's behavior, especially surrounding the shutdown's effects on veterans services and the unnecessary closure of veterans memorials, "unbecoming of an American."

"Braintree is a community that respects, honors and goes above and beyond for our veterans," Powers said.