President Barack Obama's cancelled a visit to Malaysia as America's government shutdown enters its second day.

800,000 federal employees have been told to stay at home without pay after Congress failed to compromise on a budget deal.

It's resulted in the closure of services and popular tourist attractions.

The shutdown is being blamed on Republican opposition to the Obama administration's healthcare law.

Robin Abarcarian of the LA Times spoke to Newstalk earlier about what she believes their strategy will backfire:

Meanwhile, President Obama's cancelled a visit to Malaysia because of the crisis.