Crossfire Live Blog Sept. 24, 2013

Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Bernie Sanders join hosts Van Jones and Newt Gingrich in the Crossfire at 6:30pm ET to debate Obamacare.

by Lindsey MacNabb, CNN

Welcome to the live blog!

Less than a week from the government shutdown deadline, the debate continues over President Obama’s controversial health care law. Despite Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s plans to remove the provision that defunds the law, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has taken to the Senate floor to deliver remarks on Obamacare and the shutdown, saying, “I intend to speak until I am no longer able to stand.”

Tonight, two U.S. Senators, Bernie Sanders, an independent who supports Obamacare, and Republican Lindsey Graham, who opposes it, face off on the controversial health care law with hosts Newt Gingrich and Van Jones.

by Lindsey MacNabb, CNN 9/24/2013 8:47:31 PM
Coming up at 6:30pmET: Sen. Sanders will be on @CNN 's @CrossfireCNN talking with @VanJones68 & @NewtGingrich about the #Budget .

by Bernie Sanders via twitter retweeted by elme13 9/24/2013 8:49:22 PM
ICYMI: Graham voices his support for the House bill to defund Obamacare. WATCH: bit.ly/17X8oUt #scpol #scnews

by Lindsey Graham via twitter 9/24/2013 8:51:22 PM
Weigh in: Do you think Obamacare implementation should be delayed to make changes to the law? Reply now with Yes or No using #Crossfire

by Crossfire via twitter 9/24/2013 9:11:45 PM
In the #crossfire tonight w/ @VanJones68 , @SenSanders & @GrahamBlog for an #obamacare debate. Starts at 6:30pET. crossfire.blogs.cnn.com

by Newt Gingrich via twitter 9/24/2013 9:53:16 PM
Political DVR: @marcorubio joins @tedcruz 's big speech in 5 minutes ... and in 35 minutes, @SenSanders & @GrahamBlog are in the #Crossfire

by Michelle Jaconi via twitter 9/24/2013 9:56:09 PM
Tune in to #CNN at 6:30pET and join the conversation by tweeting with #Crossfire & participating in our live blog: on.cnn.com/1dHeCu9

by Crossfire via twitter 9/24/2013 10:02:42 PM
What do shutdown and debt limit have to do with Obamacare?

Washington (CNN) -- With a series of potential disasters hovering over the nation like a demon storm, the most prominent words of a Washington-based word cloud would be: government shutdown, continuing resolution, debt limit and Obamacare.

Although a potential shutdown and the need to raise the debt limit are different issues, they are interrelated and have one big thing in common: they are both products of a crisis manufactured by Washington. And both are being used for leverage in attempts to undermine Obamacare.

So, what's the difference between them and why should you care?

Read more at CNN.com

by Lindsey MacNabb, CNN 9/24/2013 10:02:53 PM
Senator Ted Cruz calls on the GOP to stand united against Obamacare. Dana Bash reports.
by Lindsey MacNabb, CNN on Sep 24, 2013 at 8:54 AM

by Lindsey MacNabb, CNN 9/24/2013 10:09:59 PM
Can it be stopped? 8 answers on Obamacare and the shutdown

Washington (CNN) -- Over the next few days, the drama of a potential government shutdown will collide with the promise of a new health insurance system known as Obamacare.

Here are answers to eight of the most pressing questions about both:

1. What happens on October 1 with Obamacare and the government shutdown?
First, the health insurance exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act -- or Obamacare -- will be open for business. Millions of uninsured Americans will be able to enroll in health plans before the law kicks in on January 1, 2014. Second, the U.S. government might "shut down" if lawmakers can't agree to pass a funding bill that has attached to it a provision to defund Obamacare. These two events are linked. The reason both houses of Congress may not be able to agree on a funding bill -- also known as a continuing resolution -- is that some senators and representatives see this as their last chance to stop Obamacare. But that's really where the link ends.

Read more at CNN.com

by Lindsey MacNabb, CNN 9/24/2013 10:13:42 PM
@CrossfireCNN #Crossfire Yes but Not delayed, eliminated off the books. If it is so good why are the law makers exempt?

by Vince Sapero via twitter 9/24/2013 10:15:10 PM
In the #crossfire tonight w/ @VanJones68 , @SenSanders & @GrahamBlog for an #obamacare debate. Starts at 6:30pET. crossfire.blogs.cnn.com

by Newt Gingrich via twitter 9/24/2013 10:15:33 PM
No #Obamacare , especially since we know how many millions will lose their health insurance despite what the prez told us #crossfire

by DesertGator21 via twitter 9/24/2013 10:16:22 PM
The Election is over this is a ridiculous question in the first place!!!! The people voted for the Affordable Care Act!!! #Crossfire

by A D via twitter 9/24/2013 10:16:27 PM
@CrossfireCNN @CNN yes #crossfire Some serious changes are needed before we implement it.

by bethmathey via twitter 9/24/2013 10:16:33 PM
@CrossfireCNN Should be delayed to defund. #CrossFire

by NELaker via twitter 9/24/2013 10:16:39 PM
@CrossfireCNN No, implement and reform along the way. #Crossfire

by btlcmh via twitter 9/24/2013 10:17:04 PM
At 6:30 pm will be with @NewtGingrich on CNN discussing support for Defunding Obamacare.

by Lindsey Graham via twitter 9/24/2013 10:17:19 PM
Good times! by @crossfirecnn "@vanjones68 reacts to BuzzFeed's GIFs of last night's #Crossfire" via @InstaReposts

by Van Jones via Instagram 9/24/2013 10:17:22 PM
@CrossfireCNN Yes, if by "changes" you mean getting rid if this monstrosity all together. #crossfire

by MattWilliams06 via twitter 9/24/2013 10:18:13 PM
Every GOP Senator will vote to defund Obamacare and practically every Democrat
will keep it in place. Will be the defining issue in 2014.

by Lindsey Graham via twitter 9/24/2013 10:18:27 PM
Every GOP Senator will vote to defund Obamacare and practically every Dem Senator will keep it in place. Will be the defining issue in 2014

by Lindsey Graham via twitter 9/24/2013 10:19:40 PM
Crossfire all GIF'ed up wp.me/p4HKM-1cTC

by CNN Political Ticker via twitter retweeted by mjaconiCNN 9/24/2013 10:20:26 PM
10mins: @newtgingrich @VanJones68 @SenSanders @GrahamBlog get in the #crossfire over #obamacare crossfire.blogs.cnn.com @CrossfireCNN

by GingrichProds via twitter retweeted by mjaconiCNN 9/24/2013 10:21:17 PM
Ready to go in the control room - use #Crossfire during the show to join the conversation. on.cnn.com/1dHeCu9

by Lindsey MacNabb via twitter retweeted by CrossfireCNN 9/24/2013 10:22:44 PM
Sen. Ted Cruz to folks keeping score at home: "The momentum has consistently been in favor of defunding Obamacare."

by David Chalian via twitter 9/24/2013 10:22:45 PM
@newtgingrich @CrossfireCNN Why don't we just strike the whole thing down!

by Robbie Burns via twitter 9/24/2013 10:22:45 PM
@newtgingrich No. The law can still be tweaked after implementation. There are many people counting on insurance come Jan 1 #CrossFire

by safrant via twitter 9/24/2013 10:24:53 PM
@newtgingrich @CrossfireCNN Yes and we should change it to a single payer health care system #crossfire

by nakeddeadpeople via twitter 9/24/2013 10:25:16 PM
@newtgingrich @CrossfireCNN the 113th is the worst congress in recent memory. they could make changes but they won't pass. #crossfire

by tyssejc via twitter 9/24/2013 10:25:58 PM
@newtgingrich @CrossfireCNN Yes and No Yes delayed no not to be fixed just get rid of it. Its bad Law

by 1oftheJonesboys via twitter 9/24/2013 10:26:05 PM
Bernie Sanders
@SenSanders
Coming up at 6:30pmET: Sen. Sanders will be on @CNN 's @CrossfireCNN talking with @VanJones68 & @NewtGingrich about the #Budget .
Sep. 24, 2013
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by Lindsey MacNabb, CNN 9/24/2013 10:27:34 PM
Lindsey Graham
@GrahamBlog
Every GOP Senator will vote to defund Obamacare and practically every Dem Senator will keep it in place. Will be the defining issue in 2014
Sep. 24, 2013
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by Lindsey MacNabb, CNN 9/24/2013 10:27:52 PM
#obamacare debate on @crossfirecnn starts now.Join the debate online: crossfire.blogs.cnn.com @VanJones68 @GrahamBlog @sensanders #crossfire

by Newt Gingrich via twitter 9/24/2013 10:28:42 PM
Tell us what you're thinking during the show using #Crossfire and you might end up in our live blog: on.cnn.com/1dHeCu9

by Crossfire via twitter 9/24/2013 10:28:42 PM
Who do you think tonight's gif will be?

by Crossfire via twitter 9/24/2013 10:29:13 PM
@CrossfireCNN Defund!

by Wallace via twitter 9/24/2013 10:30:32 PM
@newtgingrich @CrossfireCNN NO!! There is some good parts of it that the insurance companies will fight to keep out if bill is rewritten

by RickLawson69 via twitter 9/24/2013 10:30:37 PM
Happening now: Sen. Sanders is on @CNN 's @CrossfireCNN talking with @VanJones68 & @NewtGingrich about the #Budget .

by Bernie Sanders via twitter 9/24/2013 10:31:15 PM
Love watching @crossfirecnn from my hotel room in #London ! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BU9i4MBCUAALpKE.jpg

by MarlenaCNN via twitter retweeted by CrossfireCNN 9/24/2013 10:31:33 PM
Time to change the channel to @CNN -@crossfirecnn starts now! @newtgingrich @VanJones68 @sensanders @GrahamBlog debate #obamacare #crossfire

by GingrichProds via twitter 9/24/2013 10:32:23 PM
Tweet from @newtgingrich : #obamacare debate on @crossfirecnn starts now.Join the debate online:... fb.me/14PF7nY7G

by Jeffrey_Crisp via twitter 9/24/2013 10:32:43 PM
How many times has the GOP tried to end ACA & failed?

@CrossfireCNN

by Krystle via twitter 9/24/2013 10:32:54 PM
Praise Bernie for his social conscience. #Crossfire

by rpfregeau via twitter 9/24/2013 10:33:27 PM
@newtgingrich @CrossfireCNN Defund it now. Delay and replace it with more rational reforms, rather than this absurd government takeover.

by SurgeUSA via twitter 9/24/2013 10:34:13 PM

Meet the Hosts

Newt Gingrich

Author, documentary filmmaker, historian, Speaker of the House (1995-1999), and 2012 Republican presidential candidate

Stephanie Cutter

Fmr. Obama Deputy Campaign Mgr. and W.H. Sr. Adviser, founder of Precision Strategies, fmr. Sr. Adviser to Maj. Leader Reid and Sen. Kennedy

S.E. Cupp

Conservative columnist for New York Daily News, contributing editor at Townhall Magazine, commentator and author

Van Jones

Former Special Adviser for Green Jobs under President Obama, co-founder of Rebuild the Dream, author and attorney

About the Show

Crossfire hosted by Newt Gingrich, Stephanie Cutter, SE Cupp, and Van Jones will debut Monday Sept 9th at 6:30 pm ET.

The classic debate program will resemble the show's original format with passionate conversation and focus on topical events on the day. The daily, 30-minute program will feature two hosts and guests each night, discussing a range of issues from all sides of the political and cultural spectrum. In addition to the weekday show the Crossfire co-hosts will appear across the network's programming.