Biden cancels LGBT event, fundraiser amid shutdown
VP Biden cancels keynote speech to LGBT group, Dem fundraiser due to government shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden is canceling a speech to an influential gay rights group and an appearance at a Democratic fundraiser because of the government shutdown.
Biden was scheduled to deliver the keynote address Saturday to about 3,400 people at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's biggest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights group. He was also to attend a fundraiser Monday for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which raises money for Democratic House candidates.
President Barack Obama has also canceled events while much of the federal government remains shut down. Obama canceled an appearance at a glitzy Congressional Hispanic Caucus event Wednesday and has scaled back his upcoming trip to Asia.
The shutdown has forced hundreds of thousands of federal workers on furlough.
