Former Politico journalist Rachel Bade mentioned on Thursday that the pressure stemming from government shutdowns is likely to “surge” for the Democrats. In a conversation with Mark Halperin on the “2way” podcast, she noted that Republican lawmakers believe they can leverage the frustrations of federal workers and military personnel impacted by delayed compensation against Democrats.
“The focus shifts from ACA tax credits to pressing emergencies, which is why pressure mounts on Democrats,” Bade explained.
Bade highlighted the disagreements that caused the government to partially shut down on Wednesday. Democrats pushed for a funding agreement that includes extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits past the current year. Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) argued that such a Democratic proposal might grant healthcare access to illegal immigrants.
Bade pointed out that the discourse around the shutdown would likely highlight the struggles of affected individuals, ultimately putting the Democrats in a tough spot. “I think if this situation continues for even a week, we’ll be caught in a whirlwind of discussions around what shutdown really means,” she remarked.
Bade also reflected on the divisions within the Democratic Party and the challenges faced by leaders like Chuck Schumer. She observed that the effective strategy for the Republicans in this context would be addressing the services that are disrupted due to the shutdown.
“Republicans are consistently highlighting these issues on TV. For instance, if air traffic controllers aren’t paid, they might not show up for work. Isn’t that concerning?” she added, emphasizing the real consequences of the situation.
Bade forecasted that, as pressure mounts, more Democratic members might feel compelled to break the deadlock. “Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, losing three members recently, indicates where this might lead. I think we might see more departures from that stance.”
Recently, Bade gained significant attention online after asserting that Democrats were responsible for the shutdown. In a viral post, she noted, “The thing is, Democrats have shut down the government. I’m not a Republican. I just see the facts.” This sparked considerable reactions, with her tweet being viewed over two million times and drawing ire from some on the left.
She later expressed surprise at the backlash, stating, “It’s quite astonishing how defensive some people on the left have become about what is, frankly, a straightforward observation… Yes, the Democrats are the ones behind the shutdown, not the Republicans.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Schumer’s office for comment.
