Democrats knew the pain this shutdown would cause, and did it anyway
WASHINGTON — Now the second longest shutdown in U.S. history, Democrats are responsible for the consequences they once warned about. Many small businesses are struggling, veterans’ services are disrupted, service members risk missing paychecks, and low-income families are left scrambling for childcare and food.
For years, top Democrat leaders have publicly acknowledged the devastating impacts of government shutdowns for working families and small businesses. Yet now, with the power to end the crisis, they’re doing exactly what they have always condemned — keeping the government closed to make a political point.
While House Republicans passed a clean, responsible continuing resolution to keep the government open, Democrats have voted repeatedly to prolong the pain — prioritizing the demands of their radical base over the needs of everyday Americans.
PREDICTION:
Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries in 2024: “Small businesses will be hurt in every single community in this country.”
REALITY:
Business leaders are sounding the alarm as the Democrat Shutdown begins to weigh on the broader economy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned that the lapse in funding is now hurting businesses, workers, and growth across every sector. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the shutdown is “starting to cut into muscle,” estimating a $15 billion weekly hit to the economy and urging Senate Democrats to stop blocking a short-term continuing resolution to reopen the government and protect American jobs.
PREDICTION:
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark in 2023: “So let’s take a moment to talk about the people who are truly at the center of this story… It’s the service members who will work without a paycheck. It’s the firefighters that will be furloughed. It’s the early educators who will have to leave their classroom. It’s the moms and parents who will be left scrambling for childcare.”
REALITY:
The National Head Start Association is warning that the shutdown is putting early childhood education for tens of thousands of low-income families at risk. Six programs serving 6,500 children are already operating without federal funding, and by November 1, another 134 programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico — serving nearly 59,000 children — will face the same crisis if the government remains closed.
PREDICTION:
Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Pete Aguilar in 2023: “House Republicans are leading the country towards a reckless government shutdown that will take food off the table for mothers and children and force our servicemembers to work without pay.”
REALITY:
Across the country, military families are turning to food pantries in record numbers as the Democrat Shutdown drags on and paychecks remain uncertain. Even with temporary funding to cover troop pay, many military households are losing income because spouses who work in federal jobs are also going unpaid. At Stronghold Food Pantry in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, demand has surged by 300%, with a ninefold increase in new applications for assistance nationwide. Founder Monica Bassett called the spike “humbling and heartbreaking,” saying it shows how deeply the shutdown is straining those who already sacrifice the most for the country.
PREDICTION:
Rep. Eric Swalwell in 2024: “We are headed toward a government shutdown, and Republicans know it will hurt people: small business loans delayed, VA offices closed, and federal workers forced to work without pay during the holidays.”
REALITY:
The impact on America’s veterans is growing by the day. While the Department of Veterans Affairs has kept most of its workforce on duty to protect critical care, the Democrat Shutdown has already forced veteran career counseling, transition assistance, and the GI Bill Hotline to close. Regional benefits offices are dark, and essential services like headstone placements and public outreach are on hold — even as VA staff continue serving without pay.
PREDICTION:
Rep. Ayanna Pressley in 2024: “This [government] shutdown, do you know who is going to feel the pain? You know who it hurts? You. everyday people and the most vulnerable — seniors, veterans, working families, hungry kids y’all.”
REALITY:
As the Democrat Shutdown drags on, tens of millions of America’s poorest families are at risk of losing access to food assistance. State agencies warn that if Democrats continue refusing to reopen the government, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — used by 42 million low-income Americans — will be suspended as soon as November 1, leaving vulnerable parents, children, and seniors without the ability to buy groceries.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Democrats once recognized the harm a shutdown would cause — now they’re causing the harm themselves. As their own warnings become reality, families are paying the price.
Republicans are ready to end the shutdown today. Democrats just have to say yes.
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