"We should not use the budget as a tool of extortion," he said. "Obamacare and healthcare for everyone is something we already voted on, we approved it in the Congress, the people confirmed it on November 6th of last year."
Meanwhile, Gutierrez attended a reception and book reading earlier at the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.
Gutierrez talked about his memoirs "Still Dreaming: My Journey from the Barrio to Capitol Hill."
The book recounts his political awakening and ongoing efforts as a national leader in the fight for immigrants' rights.
