Top Republican Accuses Dems of ‘Hostage Taking’ to Force Govt Shutdown
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) raged at Democrats on Monday outside the White House and accused them of “hostage taking” in the ongoing budget negotiations.
CNN’s Jake Tapper covered the ongoing negotiations to avert a looming government shutdown and noted, “Top Democrats and Republicans from Congress placing blame on each other for an increasingly likely partial federal government shutdown after meeting with President Trump at the White House earlier today. Take a listen to Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota just moments ago.” He then played a clip of Thune:
It is totally up to the Democrats, because right now they are the only thing standing between the American people and the government shutting down. We’re all in favor of funding the government, and this is something that’s been done routinely—13 different times by the Democrats when they have the majority. So to me, this is purely a hostage-taking exercise on the part of the Democrats.
“Joining us now, Democrat from Illinois, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. Thanks for joining us, Congressman. What’s your reaction to Senator Thune? He says if the government shuts down, this will be your party’s fault,” Tapper asked the House Democrat.
“That’s absurd,” Krishnamoorthi replied, adding:
They control all branches of government, and they just have to do one thing, which is try to make sure that millions of Americans don’t see their health care costs explode. As you know, premium tax credits for Obamacare are about to expire, sending about four million people into tremendous distress. And right now, all we’re asking is that these people be spared triple-digit increases in their premiums.
CNN’s Manu Raju also weighed in on the likelihood of a shutdown on X, writing:
Things looking quite dire now after WH meeting. Vance, Johnson and Thune railing on Dems right now.
“This is hostage taking,” Thune says.
Shutdown deadline: 11:59p tomorrow
Watch above via CNN.
