Government Shutdown Debate
On Wednesday, CNN’s Kasie Hunt confronted Arizona Senator Reuben Gallego regarding the Democratic Party’s handling of the recent government shutdown. This followed the party’s decision to halt a GOP spending bill, which led to the closure beginning at midnight.
During the discussion, Hunt challenged Gallego on whether the shutdown was influenced by “progressive pressure” against former President Donald Trump. She pointed out the high costs of healthcare, notes that some Republicans acknowledge this as a significant issue.
Gallego began to address the healthcare crisis, stating that millions of Americans are losing their premiums and coverage, but Hunt interrupted to press the senator further.
When she asked if the decision to shut down the government was unrelated to internal party politics, Gallego quickly denied that assertion, emphasizing that Democrats continuously advocate for affordable healthcare.
Hunt mentioned her experience covering the Obamacare debate and expressed her understanding of the Democratic stance. Gallego reiterated that Democrats are genuinely fighting for affordable healthcare, pressing Hunt to accept this reality.
In response, Hunt clarified that she never claimed disbelief but was analyzing the policy. Gallego insisted that Republicans are raising premiums and that Democrats are willing to negotiate the issue by reopening the government temporarily.
Earlier this year, the government narrowly avoided a shutdown when Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats sided with Republicans on a spending bill. This decision resulted in backlash from progressive members of the party, notably Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who criticized Schumer’s choice as a “risky mistake.” This led to speculation about Schumer’s position in the upcoming 2028 elections.
Recent polling indicated that a majority of Democratic voters might favor Ocasio-Cortez over Schumer for the Senate seat, showcasing a shift in party dynamics. During the vote, only three Democrats joined the Republicans, leaving Senate Majority Leader John Tune needing five more Democrats to switch sides by the deadline.
