Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently appeared on “Sunday Morning Futures” to discuss the ongoing government shutdown and the deadlock with Democrats. Thune made it clear that the path forward is straightforward: Democrats need to agree to reopen the government. Despite four votes against a proposed clean, short-term funding resolution, he emphasized, “There is not a lot to negotiate.”
Thune criticized the Democrats for their position, stating, “What’s happening here is the Democrats are trying to hijack a short-term, non-partisan continuing resolution” in their push for more expansive spending initiatives, including provisions for healthcare for non-citizens. He firmly believes that while various discussions are taking place, the core issue remains the Democrats’ refusal to support basic government funding for the next seven weeks.
When asked about the duration of the shutdown, Thune asserted that it hinges on the Democrats’ willingness to compromise. “I think it’s just as long as the Democrats want it to go on. I mean, they are the ones, they have the controlling card right now,” he stated. This places the ball squarely in the Democrats’ court, as they would need to provide five additional votes to surpass the 60-vote threshold necessary to pass legislation in the Senate.
In his remarks, Thune pointed to the influence of the Democrats’ leadership and interest groups, suggesting that their decisions are guided more by the demands of the far-left than by the needs of the country. He characterized the situation as a “Schumer shutdown,” asserting that the current impasse is a deliberate choice by the Democratic leadership. Thune remarked, “This is a very costly endeavor for the Democrats to take because it really does hurt people across this country.”
Amidst this challenging environment, Thune indicated that there are ongoing conversations among some Democrats who see the potential fallout from this shutdown. “There are conversations ongoing where Democrats who I think realize this is a losing strategy… want to find an offramp,” he said. This acknowledgment suggests that even within the ranks of the Democrats, there is an awareness of the high stakes involved.
Overall, Thune’s analysis reflects a sense of urgency. As the government shutdown drags on, the responsibility lies with the Democrats to come to the negotiating table and consider the implications of their actions. The Senate Majority Leader’s evaluation underscores a critical moment in American governance, where the failure to reach an agreement continues to impact citizens across the nation.
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