Democrats, Republicans Clash as US Government Shutdown
The United States government has once again ground to a halt, after Congress and the White House failed to agree on an extension of federal funding. PulseNets learnt that the deadlock has set off a storm of accusations between Democrats and Republicans, each side shifting responsibility for the shutdown.
Vice President Kamala Harris was quick to direct her criticism at former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. She told PulseNets that “Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans collapsed the government because they would not act to stop Americans’ health care bills from going higher.”
Harris further posted on X, stressing, “Let us be very clear: Republicans control the White House, the House, and the Senate. This is their shutdown.”
Democrats in Congress echoed her stance. Sen. Patty Murray of the Senate Appropriations Committee reported to PulseNets that the stalemate was the result of Republicans’ unwillingness to “negotiate with Democrats and carry out their responsibility.” Likewise, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York urged Republicans to “place families above billionaires.”
On the House side, Rep. Jamie Raskin of the Judiciary Committee argued that the crisis was avoidable, declaring, “MAGA’s government shutdown did not need to happen.” Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas reinforced this position, asserting Republicans had “every instrument of governance in their hands, yet they chose disorder.”
Republicans, however, pushed back strongly. In a statement obtained by PulseNets, GOP lawmakers accused Democrats of “prioritizing illegal aliens while punishing hardworking Americans.”
Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming warned Democrats against political brinkmanship and advised them to “do the right thing by voting to sustain government operations.” Meanwhile, Rep. Juan Ciscomani of Arizona highlighted the shutdown’s immediate risks, cautioning that it could undermine “seniors, veterans, jobs, and housing security.”
This standoff marks the first shutdown in nearly seven years since the December 2018–January 2019 episode during Trump’s first term, when funding disputes over the U.S.–Mexico border wall left Washington at an impasse.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump hinted that he could turn the shutdown to his advantage. He remarked, “We can use this shutdown to make irreversible moves that will hurt the Democrats. We can cut vast numbers of people out, slash things they like, and take away programmes they depend on.”
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In the meantime, PulseNets obtained confirmation that non-essential government services will remain suspended. Essential staff including aviation personnel, health workers, military officers, and law enforcement agents will continue their duties but without immediate pay.
Interestingly, the White House website now features a live clock tracking the duration of the shutdown, alongside a bold message: “Democrats Have Shut Down the Government.”
