MOORE, Okla. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Tom Cole spent nearly three hours Tuesday telling unhappy voters why he opposes a nascent effort to defund the federal health care law at the risk of a government shutdown and why he doesn't think it would succeed.

At times during the town hall-style meeting, the nearly 150 people attending broke into applause and shouts in support of legislation forcing a showdown that could lead to a government shutdown.

Cole, R-Moore, told The Associated Press that he believes a shutdown would lead to a loss of jobs for millions of people who work in civilian capacities at U.S. military installations, including Veterans Affairs centers and the nearby Tinker Air Force Base. He said Republicans hoping to maintain their majority in the U.S. House and win the Senate could pay politically as well and there might be a "backlash" against the GOP.