It is interesting that the Republicans in Congress do not feel that the country is in dire shape. Otherwise, they would not be participating with such zeal with their political games. I seriously doubt that their supporters back in the states feel as confident about the economy as they.
I can't speak for the Republican Congressmen, of course, but I know that if I were in their places, it wouldn't be about denying the severity of the current situation or playing political games. It's about standing on principle.
Admittedly, Republicans haven't shown much backbone in that area in a long time. But I'd like to think that that's whats going on.