Dems, facing shutdown, criticized Republicans ‘games’ during gov funding fights

Senate Democrats are currently considering a government shutdown this week in protest of a Republican-led funding bill. This move comes despite their previous criticisms of GOP lawmakers for hesitating over funding legislation in the past.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, emphasized the importance of funding the government in Congress back in September. He stressed that it is the most basic responsibility of lawmakers to ensure that the government remains operational.

The House recently passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open until October. However, Democratic Senators are pushing for a “clean” month-long stopgap bill and are currently holding up the legislation. Schumer stated on Wednesday that Republicans lack the necessary votes to pass the House version of the bill, putting the government at risk as the Friday funding deadline approaches.

Despite the potential government shutdown looming this week, it is worth noting that Democrats have criticized Republicans for similar actions in the past. Schumer, in September 2024, warned about the negative consequences of a government shutdown and how it would impact average Americans, especially seniors who rely on Social Security.

In another instance, Rep. Kathy Castor, a Democrat from Florida, accused “MAGA Republicans” of playing political games during a spending bill fight and expressed concerns about the potential impact on American families during Hurricane Helene. These statements reflect a consistent Democratic stance against government shutdowns.

However, some Republicans have dubbed the potential shutdown as a “Schumer shutdown,” pointing out the irony of Democrats now considering such a move. Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma emphasized that if Democrats proceed with the shutdown, it would be attributed to Schumer.

In response to the Democratic opposition to the CR this week, Castor reiterated the importance of bipartisan government funding and criticized Republicans for walking away from negotiations. She emphasized that Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House, making it their responsibility to fund the government.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi echoed similar sentiments, stating that Democrats are ready to support bipartisan government funding but it is ultimately the Republicans’ responsibility to ensure the government remains operational.

As the debate over the funding bill continues, it is clear that both parties are grappling with the potential consequences of a government shutdown. The decision to proceed with a shutdown will have significant implications for the American people and will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in the coming days.