Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of delaying government reopening to benefit Democrats in the recent elections, the Washington Free Beacon reports. Mullin stated that Schumer held a private meeting with Democratic senators, instructing them to delay any deal to reopen the government out of fear that doing so beforehand would reduce Democratic voter turnout in key states like Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. Mullin described this strategy as putting political interests over the well-being of Americans affected by the government shutdown.
Despite some centrist Democrats “warming” to Republican offers to end the shutdown, the victories for Democrats on Election Day have strengthened the resolve of some Senate Democrats to hold out, using the shutdown as leverage in political negotiations. Mullin criticized this approach, declaring it has been about politics rather than policy and has caused harm to federal workers and vulnerable Americans.
According to the Free Beacon, “Democrats’ victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City may complicate the situation, however, Punchbowl wrote Wednesday. While ‘around a dozen Senate Democrats are engaging with Republicans on the contours of an agreement to reopen the government,’ some Democratic senators are now pointing to the election wins as ‘evidence that the public is with them—and that they shouldn’t cave now,’ the publication noted.”
The government shutdown has resulted from Senate Democrats blocking funding bills supported by Republicans, with Mullin emphasizing his multiple votes to reopen the government and urging more Democrats to join bipartisan efforts. He expressed frustration that Schumer prioritized his political career and fear of primary challenges over keeping the government open.
With elections concluded, senators like Mullin expect that Democrats who were previously held back by Schumer’s directive might now be able to support reopening the government, potentially ending the shutdown soon. However, negotiations have been complicated by new demands from Democrats, which Mullin views as politically motivated rather than genuine efforts to resolve the issue.
Mullin said Tuesday, according to the Free Beacon, “It’s been about politics. It’s never been about policy. It’s been about holding the American people as leverage points, regardless of the damage [Democrats] caused to the livelihood of these individuals. But elections are more important to the Dems.”