Democrats find themselves in a tight spot with the ongoing federal government shutdown, and the spectacle is turning into a display of astonishing mental gymnastics. A recent interview with Democratic Rep. Janelle Bynum from Oregon illustrates this predicament. During a Thursday appearance on C-SPAN, Bynum dodged questions from interviewer Greta Brawner with an evasiveness that left audiences bewildered.
When pressed about whether Democrats should support a stand-alone bill to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Bynum offered little more than the standard line about Republican control of the House, Senate, and White House. She tossed around phrases about caring for children and ending hunger, but when it came time to provide a definitive answer, she sidestepped the issue entirely. “Is that a ‘yes,’ then, that there should be a vote on the stand-alone legislation?” Brawner pressed. Instead of a straight response, Bynum shifted the blame to House Speaker Mike Johnson, avoiding accountability.
Her evasive tactics demonstrated a refusal to engage with the substance of the questions posed. Brawner tried again, referencing claims made by Republican Rep. Tim Burchett that Democrats had previously avoided shutdowns by voting for “clean” continuing resolutions. Bynum, growing more flustered, called for a clean bill. Yet when asked if she voted for one earlier in September, she deflected, suggesting that Republicans always attached “poison pills” to their proposals.
When Brawner pinpointed the lack of clarity around what those poison pills might be in a specific clean continuing resolution, Bynum’s response was an astonishing claim that Brawner had an agenda. Instead of addressing the substance of the question, she insisted on finger-pointing at Republicans, particularly Speaker Johnson. At this juncture, it became painfully evident that Bynum would remain firmly in the realm of non-answers.
The inability to confront these questions highlights a broader issue within the Democratic Party. Their fixation on political rivalry and frustrations with former President Donald Trump seems to overshadow genuine governing responsibilities. As Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated, the ongoing shutdown appears less about legislative necessity and more about political maneuvering.
A growing discontent within Democratic ranks suggests that the party may struggle with the optics of the situation. Bynum’s performance in the interview served as a reminder of the challenges facing Democrats as they grapple with accountability. Her lack of forthrightness in responding to Brawner’s inquiries only emphasized the urgency for Senate Democrats to take action and move toward reopening the government.
This episode reflects not just a single interview, but a pattern of avoidance that has characterized much of the Democratic response to the shutdown. Instead of addressing the concerns of constituents, Bynum’s answers seemed more focused on evading responsibility and redirecting criticism. Ultimately, the question remains: when will Democrats acknowledge their role in this shutdown and take the necessary steps to resolve it?
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