Tea Party Challenges — And Challenged — After Government Shutdown

08:56

October 18, 2013

Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., comments about the vote on the defense spending bill and his failed amendment that would have cut funding to the National Security Agency's program that collects the phone records of U.S. citizens and residents, at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 24, 2013. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) — Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

We check in with reporters around the country about how the political fallout from the government shutdown affected their areas.

Tea Party leader Michigan Congressman Justin Amash faces a moderate Republican challenger next year; so does Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, another Michigan conservative.

But in South Carolina, mainstream Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham faces three conservative challengers who are drawing the interest of national conservative groups such as FreedomWorks and the Heritage Action Committee.

And in Texas, conservative Senator Ted Cruz lost his fight in Congress to defund the Affordable Care Act, but will likely come out a winner with voters in his state.

Guests

Ben Philpott, political reporter for Here & Now contributing station KUT. He tweets @BenPhilpottKUT.
Jamie Self, The State political reporter. She tweets @jamiemself.

Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics.

This segment aired on October 18, 2013.