Democrats just can’t seem to stop digging themselves deeper in this shutdown mess.
They keep insisting it’s not their fault and that they “care” about the American people — but their actions tell a very different story. On Monday, they once again voted against reopening the government, proving that political gamesmanship matters more to them than getting federal workers paid or keeping essential services running.
Republicans have put forward a straightforward bill to pay our troops and the federal employees still showing up for work — something you’d think Democrats would support if they truly cared about the military and working Americans.
But apparently not. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), a.k.a. Temu Obama, made it clear he opposes the measure, dismissing it as a “political ploy” — while he plays politics himself:
?WATCH: Jeffries tells @AndiNapier that he does NOT support legislation that the Senate is expected to vote on this week to pay federal employees and service members calling, it a "political ploy." pic.twitter.com/y0D9eQZhuE
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 20, 2025
“It appears to be more like a political ploy giving Donald Trump discretion over which employees should be compensated and which employees should not be compensated,” Jeffries said during a press conference in the U.S. Capitol. “All employees should be compensated, and that will happen when we reopen the government.”
Hakeem Jeffries doesn’t care if federal workers get paid — plain and simple. He’s keeping them as political hostages because he thinks it gives Democrats leverage to force through their wish list. And then he has the nerve to call the GOP’s effort to pay workers a “political ploy”? Please. The only one playing games here is Jeffries — while he continues to collect his own paycheck.
He even slipped up when he said workers would be paid once “we” reopen the government. That’s telling. It’s not Republicans keeping Washington closed — it’s the Democrats. Even liberal outlets are starting to admit it, with ABC’s Jon Karl acknowledging that reality. Republicans have voted to pay federal employees, and it’s Democrats blocking those paychecks, holding workers over a barrel to score political wins they can’t achieve through legislation.
President Donald Trump even had to step in about a week ago, repurposing funds to make sure our military got paid. Once again, it’s Republicans putting the American people first — and Democrats proving they’re more interested in political theater than leadership.
As Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) pointed out, Democrats’ actions are indefensible because there’s nothing controversial in the continuing resolution they’re blocking. It’s a clean CR — no partisan riders, no political gimmicks.
Johnson noted that this is the first time in U.S. history one party has shut down the government over a clean funding bill. In other words, Democrats can’t even claim there’s something in it they oppose on principle — yet they’re still refusing to vote for it:
This is the FIRST TIME in U.S. history a party has shut down the government over a clean, nonpartisan CR funding bill.
It’s a selfish and dangerous political stunt — and Democrats have ZERO shame about the pain they’re inflicting on hardworking families, our troops, veterans,… pic.twitter.com/TGEdqp6FEe
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 20, 2025
It’s a selfish and dangerous political stunt — and Democrats have ZERO shame about the pain they’re inflicting on hardworking families, our troops, veterans, and even women, infants, and children.
Every day they stall, more Americans suffer. Democrats must END their Shutdown NOW.
Democrats are putting their political priorities ahead of the American people. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) even offered to hold a separate vote on Obamacare subsidies if Democrats agreed to reopen the government — and they still refused.
At this point, they have no justification for keeping the shutdown going. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) appears more focused on projecting toughness to appease his left-wing base and protect his own political standing than on ending the impasse.
If Democrats think this shutdown is damaging President Trump politically, they’re in for a rude awakening. As CNN data analyst Harry Enten pointed out, Trump’s approval rating has actually gone up — not down — during the standoff.
