White House Highlights Hypocrisy of Senate Democrats Amid Looming Government Shutdown

White House Highlights Hypocrisy of Senate Democrats Amid Looming Government Shutdown

FIRST ON FOX: The White House has created a video compilation showcasing Senate Democrats criticizing government shutdowns in the past. Interestingly, these same Democrats are now contemplating the rejection of a Trump-backed federal funding bill that could prevent a looming shutdown.

In one notable clip, Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts clearly expresses that democracy should not involve hostage tactics. She states, “This is a democracy, and in a democracy, hostage tactics are the last resort for those who can’t win their fights through elections, can’t win their fights in Congress, can’t win their fights for the presidency, and can’t win their fights in the courts.” This comment reflects the seriousness with which Democrats once approached the concept of a government shutdown.

Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, also voices strong sentiments against the consequences of shutdowns. In a 2019 video, he asserts, “To hold these people hostage instead of just letting them do their jobs, which they want to do while we work out our differences. So wrong.” His reference is directed towards furloughed federal employees, emphasizing the human cost of such political gambits.

A source from the Trump administration spoke to Fox News Digital and characterized the current situation as glaringly hypocritical, attributing this to Democrats’ overwhelming disdain for former President Donald Trump. The official contends that this animosity has eclipsed the party’s sense of reason.

The source elaborated, saying, “Last week, Democrats refused to stand for a child battling brain cancer and Angel Moms. Now, their hypocrisy and hatred for Donald Trump have overpowered a commonsense, reasonable funding measure that their party has historically endorsed. This isn’t principled opposition; it’s a vitriolic response to their contempt for President Trump and the undeniable momentum on Republicans’ side.” This statement underscores the deep partisan divide currently affecting legislative processes.

The video clip spans more than two minutes, featuring speeches from multiple members of the Senate, including Senators Warren, Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Jack Reed, Cory Booker, Tim Kaine, Chris Murphy, Adam Schiff, and Amy Klobuchar. Each senator laments previous shutdowns or threats, portraying themselves as defenders of democracy.

Furthermore, the Trump administration official criticized the threats of shutdowns as mere political theater. They asserted, “Make no mistake: Democrats’ threats of a Schumer Shutdown are purely political theater. As President Trump works to fulfill his mandate to the American people, Senate Democrats are grandstanding against a measure to keep the government open — one that supports veterans’ benefits and military pay increases.” This framing attempts to position the Republican proposals as beneficial and responsible.

On Tuesday, the House passed a federal funding bill backed by Trump, with the vote tally reflecting the stark partisan divide at 217 to 213. This bill, if enacted, would provide funding until the end of September.

As the bill moves to the Senate, it leaves Democrats with a crucial decision: either support the proposed funding or face the risk of a government shutdown on Friday at midnight. Reports indicate that Senate Democrats are divided on how to approach this situation.

A source within the Democratic caucus commented, “They’ve been debating what to do, and there are people who feel strongly on both sides.” This reveals a palpable tension within the Democratic ranks as they navigate this pressing deadline.

While many Senate Democrats have remained silent about the specifics of their recent discussions, a few lawmakers, including Senators Mark Warner and Chris Van Hollen, have publicly expressed their intention to vote against the continuing resolution. This indicates a faction within the party that is staunchly opposed to the proposed measures.

Senator Tim Kaine articulated his stance on the proposed bill, calling it detrimental to the economy. He remarked, “This is a shutdown bill that’s bad for the economy — let Trump shut down whatever he wants. Hurting everyday folks to use money for tax breaks for the uber-rich. Hell no!” Such strong commentary sheds light on the underlying ideological battles at play.

In another notable incident this week, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was captured in an emotional moment during a private lunch with Senate Democrats, where she was reportedly expressing frustrations about the party’s direction amidst the ongoing crisis. Gillibrand, who also featured prominently in the White House video, previously denounced the 2019 government shutdown, citing its dire implications for many families. She emphasized, “If this shutdown continues indefinitely, 39 million Americans will risk not having enough food. They will lose their SNAP benefits in February, so that means American children will be going to bed hungry. It’s unacceptable.”

The current political landscape reflects intense conflicts as both parties maneuver through the complexities of government funding and their respective positions. Many are closely watching to see how this will unfold in the coming days as the midnight deadline approaches.

Fox News Digital’s Julia Johnson and Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.