‘Hostages’: GOP Senators Say Schumer’s Shutdown Tactics Destroying Senate
The government shutdown has now entered its 20th day, and Senate Republicans warn that Democrats—led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—are setting a dangerous precedent by refusing to reopen the government unless their demands for extending expiring Obamacare subsidies are met.
What began as a debate over government funding has morphed into a partisan standoff centered on protecting the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits—a move Republicans say has nothing to do with keeping the government operational.
“It’s been more than three weeks since Schumer and the Democrats blocked the House GOP’s continuing resolution,” said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who accused Schumer of “destroying the institution of the Senate.” Scott told Fox News that the Democratic leader has made government “unmanageable,” adding, “Hopefully, this is not the way we continue to operate.”
Republicans now say Democrats are holding the government “hostage” for political leverage, refusing to engage in genuine negotiations until their demands are met.
“We can’t negotiate with them until we come out of shutdown,” said Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.). “You can’t hold the government hostage. And that’s why it’s very important — we’ve said we’ll work on all these different issues they want to bring up. But you can’t shut down the government, hold the government hostage as part of negotiation.”
Despite Democrats’ intransigence, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has extended an olive branch, signaling that he would allow a vote on the Obamacare subsidies in exchange for reopening the government. Yet Democrats blocked that proposal—along with efforts to advance the annual defense spending bill—ten separate times.
“The Dems, someday, they’re going to rue the day they did this,” Thune told Fox News. “We have offered up an open appropriations process, regular order, doing things that way. I think it’s unfortunate, but it’s a reality that we’re dealing with.”
Thune emphasized that the Senate GOP has remained open to a transparent budget process while Democrats continue prioritizing political theater. “I hope they change their mind and realize that it’s in everybody’s best interest to try and at least get the government open and then start going to work and funding the government the old-fashioned way,” he said.
Many Republicans expected the “No Kings” protest in Washington, D.C., over the weekend—a left-wing rally attacking President Donald Trump’s leadership—to prompt Democrats to rethink their obstruction. Instead, the event appeared to embolden progressives to double down on their opposition, viewing the shutdown as an opportunity to posture against the Trump administration.
Thune revealed that at least two additional Senate Democrats are considering breaking ranks with Schumer, joining the small handful—Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Angus King (I-Maine)—who have already sided with Republicans in efforts to restore government funding. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) remains the only GOP member still withholding his vote.
According to Thune, the GOP now has 55 votes to fund the government as the motion heads to the floor for a ninth time, suggesting more Democrats may soon join in ending the stalemate.
The House has already passed a temporary spending bill to keep the government open through late November, but Schumer continues to block his caucus from supporting it. The measure requires 60 votes to advance, meaning eight Democrats would need to cross party lines if Paul maintains his opposition.
Republicans say the standoff proves Democrats would rather weaponize government shutdowns for political gain than govern responsibly—a pattern they warn could have lasting consequences for the Senate as an institution.