On the 37th day of the ongoing government shutdown, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate and called on Democrats to end what he described as the “Schumer Shutdown.” Barrasso referenced recent comments from Democratic lawmakers acknowledging the need to reopen the government.
“Today is Day 37 of the Schumer Shutdown. Senate Democrats have broken the record for the longest shutdown in American history,” said Barrasso in his prepared remarks. He noted that some Democrats are now expressing support for a resolution. “Democrats have already acknowledged the government must reopen. On Face the Nation this Sunday, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, referring to the shutdown, said, ‘I hope it ends this week.’ Now, there are reports that ten to twelve Senate Democrats are coming forward and saying they’re willing to vote for the clean, bipartisan continuing resolution. It looks like more Democrats are ready to finally do the right thing for the American people and reopen the government.”
Barrasso questioned why Democratic senators would continue with actions that result in families needing food assistance and federal workers missing paychecks. “My question to Senate Democrats is simple: why prolong the pain? How much longer are you going to force families to stand in line at food banks and workers to miss paychecks? The Schumer Shutdown can end this week.”
He stated that Republicans remain engaged in efforts to resolve the shutdown and blamed Democrats for its continuation. “Republicans are working in good faith to reopen the government. We continue to talk to Senators about ways to get the government open. The only question is when. Remember, it is the Democrats who are keeping the government closed.”
No further information about ongoing negotiations or potential timelines was provided during Barrasso’s statement.
