U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate on Day 21 of the ongoing government shutdown, which he referred to as the “Schumer Shutdown.” In his remarks, Barrasso criticized Senate Democrats for their response to the appropriations process and accused them of yielding to pressure from far-left activists within their party.
Barrasso began by referencing past Democratic initiatives, particularly the Affordable Care Act. “I come to the Floor after hearing the Minority Leader on the Floor, and I would like to remind the Minority Leader that it was the Democrats who created Obamacare and, in the process, broke health care in this country. I’m a doctor. I practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years. I want American citizens to receive quality, affordable care. So much of that is impossible because of what the Minority Leader supported when Barrack Obama was in the White House. And they realized it was failing so they had to prop it up with juicy subsidies. And it was still failing so then during COVID they needed to prop it up even more with even juicier subsidies. That’s what he’s talking about today.
“Let me point out it was the Minority Leader and his party that set the date for those to end. They’re the ones that chose that date. Those are the folks that have caused the problem here today. And with all these juicy subsidies what they ended up with is program fraught with waste, fraud, abuse, and even corruption. They removed all of the income issues so that anybody, no matter how wealthy and how much money they’re making, are qualified for these juicy subsidies. It’s just wrong. There’s been a complete fall down in terms of the cost of health care and the failures are a result of the program they put in place in the first place. The Minority Leader doesn’t want to think about any of that. And that’s one of the reasons that the Democrats are holding the American people hostage and keeping the government closed.”
Barrasso noted that a bipartisan appropriations bill aimed at funding defense spending had previously passed through committee with significant Democratic support but failed on a recent floor vote due to opposition from most Democrats: “Today is the 21st day of the Schumer shutdown. On Thursday Republicans brought to this Senate Floor a bipartisan appropriations bill. It was a bill to appropriate money for the military. If funds our defense. It funds our troops, and it even gives the troops a raise… But on Thursday, Senate Democrats voted no… All but three Democrats voted to deny paychecks to our men and women in uniform.”
He attributed this shift to influence from what he described as “the radical wing” of their party: “So why would they do that? Why would they be for it and then against it? Why would they change their tune? It’s because the radical wing of the Democrat Party demanded it… They would rather provide free health care to illegal immigrants in this country than pay the men and women in uniform.”
Barrasso referenced comments from other senators involved in drafting defense appropriations legislation: “Before the vote, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware came to The Floor to explain why Democrats flip-flopped on… defending The nation… He admitted on this very Floor last Thursday, he said, ‘I won’t vote for just The defense appropriations bill, even though it’s my bill.’ There you have it.”
According to Barrasso’s remarks, Democrats have repeatedly voted against measures proposed by Republicans intended to reopen parts or all of The federal government: “Democrats have now voted 11 times against a clean continuing resolution To reopen The government.” He argued The difference between current votes And previous ones under President Biden Is pressure from activist groups: “The only difference now Is That The far-left activists groups Are watching And They Are taking names.”
Barrasso also quoted unnamed Democratic senators expressing concern over backlash from left-wing groups: “One Democrat Senator admitted voting To reopen The government Would mean ‘people Are going To get hammered By The radical left.’ That’s What They’re worried about…” He continued by referencing reports Of senators being “terrified Of getting The guillotine From far-left activist groups.”
Further criticizing recent protests involving Democratic senators And activists outside Congress during The shutdown period, Barrasso said: “On Saturday, Senate Democrats protested In The streets With protesters holding signs calling For The death Of President Trump… They chanted entire songs about resistance…” He characterized these actions As aligning With more extreme elements within Their party.
Quoting Senators Bernie Sanders And Chris Murphy regarding leverage gained From maintaining The shutdown And pride In colleagues’ actions respectively—“Senator Bernie Sanders says If The shutdown ends, Democrats ‘lose Their leverage.’ Senator Chris Murphy Of Connecticut said,’ I’m very proud Of my Democratic colleagues’ For shutting down The government”—Barrasso questioned whether denying paychecks To federal workers Was justified.
He described consequences Of continued closure Including impacts On food assistance programs And aviation safety staffing shortages: “Forty-two million Americans may soon lose food stamps As A result Of The Democrats’ obstruction… Flight safety Is also At risk Because Of staffing shortages.” According To Barrasso some Democratic lawmakers suggested not reopening government unless severe disruptions occurred.
Concluding his speech Barrasso said: “Republicans Are committed To reopening The government To paying federal workers And To putting American families first. It Is time For Democrats To join us.”
