From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Speer.A grim-faced John Boehner emerged from the White House to say thatPresident Obama has refused to negotiate with Republicans,who want to tie a temporary funding measure to his signature health care law,Speaker Boehner saying while there was a polite conversation,there's no sign of budging from the president."All we're asking for here is a discussion and fairness for the American people under Obamacare."Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, meanwhile, accuses his Republican colleagueof being the one unwilling to move forward on the continuing resolution to fund the government."I thought that they were concerned about the long-term fiscal affairs of this country,and we said we are too, let's talk about it.My friend, John Boehner, I repeat, cannot take yes for an answer."The standoff over health care has resulted in a now two-day-old partial government shutdownthat's idled 800,000 federal workersand closed national parks, museums and monuments.Intelligence chiefs say the government shutdown is limiting their duty to guard against terrorism.As NPR's Larry Abramson explains,some members of Congress say the White House should pass special legislation to fund intelligence activities.Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told a Senate panelthat's 70% of the nation's civilian intelligence workers are furloughed because of the shutdown."This seriously damages our ability to protect the safety and security of this nation and its citizens."Clapper said the harm to intelligence gathering would grow the longer the government is closed.He said he and other intelligence leaders are assessing day to day
