Twitter. @PeteSessions

He recently made headlines when the conservative and libertarian group FreedomWorks accused Sessions of working with Democrats to defend funding for Obamacare, all the while underminingSenator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in his crusade to defund the healthcare law. 

According to the FreedomWorks website, “Sessions ahs repeatedly refused to oppose Obamacare… Ironically, Sessions desperation to retain power may cause him to lose it. Katrina Pierson recently signed up to run against him in the Republican primary.” 

Sessions fired back at FreedomWorks, calling their accusations “a blatant misrepresentation of the facts. I have stood firmly on the side of the people of the 32nd Congressional District who want to see Obamacare thrown in the dustbin. House Republicans have consistently stood united in our efforts to defund, dismantle, repeal, and delay Obamacare.” 

Still, this alleged lack of opposition has sparked quite a bit of uproar. Back in September the Senate Conservatives Fund dubbed Sessions a “Texas RINO” (Republican-In-Name-Only). And it was only last week that he voted for the first time to defund Obamacare, despite the House Republicans having voted on it over 40 times. 

An article from US News said that Sessions “does not appear willing to help march Republicans off a political cliff and risk the House majority by shutting down the government over a fantastical fight to ‘defund’ Obamacare.” 

In a statement released September 30, Sessions said the American people needed to be protected from Obama’s “disastrous” health care law. 

For Texas native Tom Iven, the ongoing debate represents two sides simply each party trying to appeal to their respected supporters.

“Fundamentally, Obamacare was passed. Without regard to whether I support it or not, it was fairly passed into law," Iven said. "At the time it passed, they committed to funding it. To hold up funding in an attempt to force a repeal is a rather pathetic. If you have the votes to repeal or alter it, do it. If not, then shut up and move on." 

Sessions took to his official website to explain the conditions of the government shutdown. His office will remain open with limited staff, addressing “emergency” situations. 

Reach Executive Producer Lizzie Pereira here.