Congress didn’t get much done this week.
But that doesn’t mean it was dull on Capitol Hill during what is now the second-longest federal government shutdown ever.
The following are the top four moments of the week on the Hill:
1. Fetterman’s ‘Groundhog Day’
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has defied his party’s strategy by continuing to support efforts to reopen the government, aptly compared the shutdown to “Groundhog Day,” a 1993 comedy film set in his home state.
“It’s Groundhog Day and it’s not entertaining,” Fetterman said of his fellow Senate Democrats’ continued refusal to vote to reopen the government. “That’s a great movie, but this is s—–. It’s embarrassing.”
In the film, a man finds himself cursed to repeat the same day over and over again in the sleepy town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
“We all lose, and it’s embarrassing,” Fetterman said of the shutdown.
2. Jeffries’ Final Refusal
Just hours before endorsing Democrat nominee Zohran Mamdani to become New York City’s next mayor, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., declined Friday to state his position on the race for one final time.
“I have not refused to endorse,” he told reporters after months of not revealing who he would support. “I have refused to articulate my position, and I will, momentarily, at some point, in advance of early voting.”
Early voting was scheduled to begin the very next day.
The lack of an endorsement from Jeffries or from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., appeared to suggest many national Democrat leaders have been hesitant to support Mamdani, an avowed socialist. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has accused New York Democrats of “spineless politics” for not backing Mamdani.
Mamdani has defended Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and has called for city-run grocery stores and a freeze on rents as ways to address the city’s affordability problems.
Later that day, Jeffries’ endorsement was released, saying, “Zohran Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis and explicitly committed to being a mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support his candidacy,” in a statement provided to The New York Times.
3. Clark’s ‘Leverage’ Admission
House Democrat Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., gave Republicans a gift in an interview with Fox News when she admitted that the shutdown provides “leverage” for Democrats’ demands.
“I mean, shutdowns are terrible, and of course there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer,” Clark told Fox News. “We take that responsibility very seriously, but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., was quick to pounce, playing the video on a loop outside his office and saying at a news conference that Democrats “don’t seem to care” about Americans’ suffering.
4. Merkley’s Filibuster on a Shoestring
Though it received less publicity than the record-breaking filibuster of Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., held a more than 22-hour filibuster on the Senate floor to make Republicans hear his demands.
He does not recommend the experience.
“I want to untie my shoelace because standing in one place for this much time, well, it made my shoes a little tight,” he said as he reached down. “That feels a little better. In general, I don’t recommend standing through the night and talking. Not a healthy pursuit, but I’m standing here to ring the alarm bells.”
Reprinted with permission from The Daily Signal by George Caldwell.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
If politicians had to abide with the same rules that ordinary Americans had to endure, there wouldn’t be this mess. If federal workers don’t get paid, they shouldn’t either.
And the Schumer/Jeffries Shutdown continues.
The government shutdown IS NOT a laughing matter!!!
People are facing NO HELP! They are looking at zero resources for food. These are elderly, sick, disabled, families with young childred, some are vets. What are they to do?
Shameful for the democrats to be pulling this stunt while millions of poor people suffer
I don’t recommend the experience of Merkley representing you as your senator. Every time I write to him I get a sanctimonious response, which has convinced me that we need TERM LIMITS for congressmen and senators. Presidents last 8 years max; reps and senators becomes millionaires and die of old age in their seats.
The Democrats have brought disaster to our government. The issue behind their shutdown…they want to allow THOUSANDS of Illegal immigrants and criminals to remain in the USA. I have not yet heard a logical, intelligent Reason for them to back this issue. These men & women were elected by American Citizens who put their trust in them. Trusted that they would support American laws and citizens. Democrats have literally thrown dirt in the faces of all those who voted them into office. They have turned their backs on those who trusted them, and instead they support Illegals & Criminals. Every one of those Senators who uphold this travesty should be removed from Office. They are not upholding or living by the Oath of Office that they swore to. This has gone on far too long & must be stopped.
Yet wont end Shutdown for ALL Blame the Dems BUT DONT Vote Dems
Just to name a few SINonyms for today’s ‘Democrat’ (with EXTREMELY FEW EXCEPTIONS): Left-wing radical; America-haters; tax-lover; criminal-supporter; Socialist; Communist; Anarchist; and EVIL.
I still stand on the premise that every shutdown is a sham…and a shame. Congress is not doing their due diligence (as usual) and should be pursuing a constitutional amendment to mandate a balanced budget (like every other entity that handles money), but we all know that won’t happen as long as they (both parties) can use it to promote their power base, and keep themselves “viable” so they can rationalize their actions.
More fear, more lies, more chaos……again and again and again and again…….
Some Democrats will be forced to use Christian food banks, until the communist, Nazi, islamist Democratic Party finally is forced by their suffering constituents to admit they lost this particular battle in their war against our Republic and all that is good and Godly.
ABSOLUTE BUFFOONS
It would end quickly if Congress was not paid during a shutdown. When did they make the rule that they get paid even though there is a National Government shut down, and whose bright idea was it?
There should be no paychecks for anyone in the White House that means both parties there would be no shut down all would be back.
Remember, ‘demagogues’; The People are listening. Dumba$$ocrat$? Not so much….
Better to ignore these people until they remember they are supposed to be public servants.
Someday, the shutdown will have to end and Speaker Johnson will have to face some of the issues that he does not want Congress to vote on. Just use your imagination and think of the the things that might be. This shutdown is starting to smell like bullying from both sides & they will just take their ball and go home if they do not like the issue.
well I don’t know if there is a god..or a heaven..but do know one thing Mike Johnson’s never seeing Jesus lol