The Democrats’ ridiculous shutdown ransom
By Washington Examiner
September 29, 2025 5:00 am
The federal government is set to shut down at midnight on Tuesday. The House of Representatives already passed a seven-week extension that would keep the government funded through Nov. 20. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said Democrats should vote “yes” on that bill so bipartisan Senate negotiations can continue on a comprehensive appropriations bill. But Democrats are refusing to do so. Instead, they are demanding a ransom of more than half a trillion dollars over 10 years just to keep the government running for a few more weeks.
It is a ridiculous proposal. Republicans should refuse it, and Democrats will be left to take public blame for yet another example of Washington incompetence. Or they can come to their senses before midnight Tuesday and let the federal government keep functioning while talks continue.
Democratic lawmakers face intense pressure from their rabid base to shut down the government. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is especially under scrutiny because last March, he and 10 other Senate Democrats put country over party and voted with Republicans to fund the government through the end of September. Enraged lefties immediately pilloried Schumer and talked of ousting him.
“I myself don’t give away anything for nothing. I think that’s what happened the other day,” former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said, as though it is meritorious to demand payment for doing right by one’s country.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a possible Schumer replacement, added, “This turns the federal government into a slush fund for Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Why would Senate Democrats hand away our leverage?”
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3825258/the-democrats-ridiculous-shutdown-ransom/
