Democrat C-SPAN Caller Criticizes Her Party for ‘Holding Americans Hostage’ During Shutdown

Democrats Urged to Resolve Government Shutdown

On Monday, former federal officials associated with the Democratic Party criticized their own party for not reopening government offices as the shutdown stretches into its fourth week.

The shutdown, which commenced on October 1, followed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s push to block a bipartisan continuing resolution, garnering support from nearly all Senate Democrats. A caller to the Washington Journal emphasized the urgency of ending the shutdown, particularly as many Americans face cuts to food aid starting November 1.

“People keep saying, ‘The president needs to step in,’ or ‘This is what the Democrats think,’” the caller remarked. “But here’s the reality: it’s the Democrats who have effectively shut down the government on the Senate side.” Only three Democrats voted for the continuing resolution, one of whom is Senator John Fetterman, she added.

The caller expressed frustration, stating, “They have to unite and stop holding Americans hostage. People are going without food, and this is coming up on the weekend with November 1 around the corner. It’s absurd.” She went on to mention that healthcare companies have already missed deadlines for adjusting costs, adding to the precarious situation.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides essential food assistance, and without congressional action, more than 40 million Americans will face funding loss on November 1. Several states have indicated they will terminate benefits if the shutdown continues.

The caller called for Democrats to engage in negotiations with Republicans, suggesting that the current strategy was only bolstering former President Donald Trump’s position.

“They need to come together. I know there’s talk about the president needing to intervene, but Congress holds the power of the purse, not the president,” she said. “If you want the president to resolve this, you’re elevating him to a king-like status. This has to change.”

“I want to see the Democrats stand their ground, but they need to engage in negotiations rather than just arguing back and forth like they did when I was a union president,” she continued. “This cycle of conflict has to stop, and America can’t keep accepting it.”

Senate Democrats have consistently blocked Republican attempts to resolve the shutdown, with Schumer leading the filibuster against funding proposals that don’t align with Democratic priorities, such as the extension of Obamacare subsidies.

However, in a recent appearance on Fox News’ “Saturday in America,” Fetterman stressed the need for his fellow Democrats to vote to reopen the government first before debating the extension of expired subsidies. “I genuinely believe Senate Majority Leader John Thune is an honorable man. If they can open the government, we can have a sincere discussion,” he stated.

“Let’s get the government open so we can have our SNAP benefits restored. Then we can talk about extending the tax credit agreement, as I’m confident there are Republicans interested in that too,” he added.