Sen. Whitehouse Talks Government Shutdown Effects
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) remarked that the ongoing government shutdown appears to be working in favor of Democrats, while Republicans in Congress seem to be “in turmoil” as the situation drags on.
During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Whitehouse expressed his faith in Democratic leadership and addressed concerns regarding pay for federal workers as the shutdown marks its eighth day. He mentioned that, so far, events have unfolded positively for his party.
“You know, I think so. For Democrats, so far so good,” he shared with co-host Jonathan Lemire.
He highlighted significant concerns, pointing out that the Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), is not reconvening the House to tackle the issues at hand. “They’re just sitting idle while this shutdown continues,” Whitehouse noted.
According to Whitehouse, “If you don’t even come to work when you have to solve problems during a government shutdown, it’s not a good place for the Republican Party.” He also pointed out that many Republicans are acknowledging the need to extend health care funding, suggesting that if they agree, they should engage in negotiations to resolve the shutdown.
On Wednesday, both Democratic and Republican proposals for temporary funding to reopen the government were turned down by Senators, highlighting a stalemate in moving forward. Democrats are advocating for an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Every Democratic funding proposal has included this extension.
Republicans, on the other hand, believe the discussions regarding these subsidies could reignite once the government is back up and running. “I know this story is old. You’re trying to find a new angle, but it’s still the same thing,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) stated, adding that conversations would take place when the government reopens.
One potential change on the horizon could involve objections to the military pay bill during the shutdown. If the situation persists until October 15, it would mark a notable first—military personnel having not been compensated during a government shutdown in modern history.
