Senator Shelley Moore Capito recently appeared on “Fox News Sunday,” where she provided insight into the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 19th day. The situation remains tense, largely attributed to political maneuvering by the Democrats, according to Capito. “The Democrats’ political stunts shut down the federal government on October 1st,” she asserted, emphasizing that the shutdown is not merely a budgeting issue but a politically charged one.
During her discussion with host Shannon Bream, Capito confronted proposals from her colleagues, including Rep. Ro Khanna, to eliminate the 60-vote threshold required to end debate on Senate bills. Capito firmly responded, “We are not gonna do that. We are not gonna drop the filibuster. It wouldn’t pass number one, and I signed a letter in 2017, saying I would not vote to get rid of the filibuster.” This statement underscores the importance she places on maintaining procedural safeguards in the Senate.
Capito detailed a bipartisan proposal designed to reopen the government without the controversial add-ons that often derail negotiations. She described it as having “no strings attached to it, except for a seven-week extension of government.” Such clarity in the proposal highlights a willingness to negotiate, given that the government operates in urgent need of funding.
Her remarks shed light on the political motivations behind the shutdown. Capito referenced Senator Chuck Schumer’s comments, noting, “I think it’s very obvious what’s going on. The politics of this.” Schumer had previously indicated that the shutdown might be advantageous for Democrats, a perspective Capito vehemently opposes. She further called out the lack of real negotiations, pointing out, “Senator Thune has said numerous times that we will talk about this, but he is not gonna let the government be held hostage and hijacked over an issue.”
The urgency of reopening the government was a recurring theme. Capito expressed a desire for swift action, stating, “The sooner that they vote to reopen the government, the sooner we get to the negotiating table on these subsidies.” During the conversation, Bream inquired if any Democrats might consider crossing party lines to assist in reaching the necessary votes to end the stalemate. Capito seemed optimistic but realistic about the dynamics in play, suggesting that many Democrats “do not want to be in a shutdown situation. They know it’s a misery march. It’s a road to nowhere.”
This commentary reflects a broader concern among legislators that prolonged shutdowns create unnecessary hardships and upheaval. As Capito confirmed, the Senate plans to vote on legislation geared toward paying federal workers in the coming week. Her emphasis on reopening the government first seeks to shift focus back to productive negotiations.
In an environment charged with stakes as high as these, Capito’s reflections spotlight the critical balance between political strategy and governance that legislators must navigate, all while the consequences of a shutdown unfold for federal employees and the services they provide.
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