Late-Night Comedians Criticize Democrats Over Government Shutdown
Late-night hosts shared their disbelief and frustration with Democratic senators on Monday after eight of them allied with Republicans on a funding plan that might end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
“I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.” “What is ‘it’? Yes, ‘it’ is the Democratic Party. Remember them? They were the ones who shut down the government last month.”
During the Monday vote, a mix of seven Democratic senators and one independent chose to back the Republicans to resolve the shutdown. The senators included Angus King from Maine, John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, and Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada, along with Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Jacky Rosen, Tim Kaine, and Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat.
“They’re giving in to a government shutdown, and we’re less than a week away from what could be our best election night results in years,” Stewart added.
Stephen Colbert echoed similar frustrations, saying on “The Late Show,” “Yes, the shutdown has been tough on millions, but what really happened? Nothing.” He went on to jokingly degrade Senators for their apparent weakness, saying Shaheen “collapsed like granola bars in a backpack.”
Seth Meyers used his platform to question the timing of Democrats yielding to President Trump. He remarked, “Polls showed voters were with them, and just as it seemed like the tide might turn, they gave in.” He criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, asserting that the Democrats were, in fact, surrendering.
In response to Schumer’s comments about continuing the fight, Meyers stated, “You’re giving up the fight. You can’t wave a white flag saying ‘I give up’ while simultaneously waving another one saying ‘Until next time.’” He reflected on the protests against Trump and the Democratic victories, sarcastically suggesting that Senate Democrats decided “now is the time to capitulate.”
Kimmel also expressed similar sentiments, indicating his frustration over the senators’ decisions to “cede.” He referred to Schumer’s actions as disappointing, comparing him to a parent who can’t stick to their word about limiting screen time for kids.
Throughout the duration of the shutdown, Schumer and his party had insisted they would only vote to reopen the government if they secured a clear agreement on the future of Obamacare subsidies. However, that deal never came to fruition, and ultimately, the eight senators backed a proposal from Senate Majority Leader John Thune to ensure a vote on the subsidies.
Late Monday night, the Senate officially passed a revised continuing resolution, which will reopen the government until January 30, reverse layoffs from the Trump administration, provide refunds to furloughed workers, and ensure future protections for federal employees during shutdowns.
