Rep. McGuire and Sen. Warner Disagree on Ending Government Shutdown
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history continues, with both Republicans and Democrats blaming each other as the stalemate persists. Lawmakers in Washington emphasize the urgent need to reopen the government, while a bipartisan group of Senators works toward a deal.
Efforts to resolve the shutdown face obstacles including distrust, uneven expectations, and ongoing political finger-pointing. Congressman John McGuire, representing the Fifth District, insists that the House has fulfilled its duty by passing a continuing resolution. He places the responsibility on Senate Democrats, who have rejected the stopgap funding measure over a dozen times.
“We worked as a team and we got this done, and now for political purposes, for using the American people as leverage, the Democrats in the U.S. Senate have voted no,”
McGuire accuses Democrats of intentionally delaying government reopening until after their claimed election victories. Both President Donald Trump and Governor Glenn Youngkin have suggested the shutdown helped Democrats gain support in recent elections.
“I think really the big purpose was to win these elections,”
“I think [the shutdown] creates anger, and anger gets people to the polls.”
Meanwhile, bipartisan negotiations continue, but deep-seated mistrust and strategic blame-shifting impede progress to end the shutdown.
Author's summary: Political blame and mistrust between parties complicate efforts to end the longest U.S. government shutdown, with both sides accusing each other of using the situation for electoral advantage.