Democrats will pay at polls for shutting down the government

Last night, Senate Democrats shut down the United States government. They recklessly chose to jeopardize paychecks for our troops and border patrolmen to appease their far-left base. In triggering a totally unnecessary, easily avoidable shutdown, they put at stake the health insurance of nine million vulnerable children and a number of other critical programs, including veteran services and opioid treatment programs.

Republicans offered an easy fix: a short-term funding bill that President TrumpDonald TrumpDOJ asks Supreme Court to revive Boston Marathon bomber death sentence, in break with Biden vow Biden looking to build momentum for Putin meeting DOJ tells media execs that reporters were not targets of investigations MORE would sign. This bill was bipartisan, non-controversial, and included legislative components that Democrats have long supported and even championed. It was a no-brainer. Yet, Democrats chose to hold government funding hostage because of partisan games. It’s infuriating, petty, and the American people deserve better from their elected officials.

Their concern was the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. That means Senate Democrats are less concerned with the interests of the American people than those of 700,000 illegal immigrants, even though the program that protects those immigrants does not expire until March. It also means Democrats are unbothered by the “terrible impact” of a government shutdown on our armed forces, as Defense Secretary James MattisJames Norman MattisBiden's is not a leaky ship of state — not yet Rejoining the Iran nuclear deal would save lives of US troops, diplomats The soft but unmatched power of US foreign exchange programs MORE himself warned yesterday.

Republicans did their job and offered a solution to keep the government running, but they couldn’t stop the shutdown from happening on their own. Appropriations bills require 60 Senate votes to pass. With only 51 Republican senators, this means Democratic votes are necessary to secure funding.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck SchumerChuck SchumerIn Congress, what goes on behind closed doors? Senate Judiciary begins investigation into DOJ lawmaker subpoenas America needs a stable Israeli government MORE (D-N.Y.) and his Democratic colleagues own this shutdown. The American people are very well aware that the Schumer shutdown rests squarely on his party’s shoulders. Their hypocrisy is on full display, as the same Democrats who once warned of the consequences of a shutdown eagerly embraced it this go around.

That includes Schumer himself, who said in 2013 that shutting down the government over immigration reform would be “a politics of idiocy, of confrontation, of paralysis.” It also includes House Minority Leader Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiNew Mexico Democrat Stansbury sworn into Haaland's old seat Greene apologizes for comparing vaccine rules to Holocaust Overnight Health Care: Biden pleads for more people to get vaccinated | Harris highlights COVID-19 vaccination safety | Novavax COVID-19 vaccine shown highly effective in trial MORE (D-Calif.), who previously said a shutdown would “punish the American people.”

Many constituents of the Democrats rely on the government-funded programs that are being handicapped by the shutdown. Sen. Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowSenate crafts Pelosi alternative on drug prices Lobbying world Schumer tactics on China bill reveal broader trade strategy MORE (D-Mich.) put nearly 83,000 children’s health care at risk with her vote. Sen. Bob CaseyRobert (Bob) Patrick CaseyMcConnell seeks to divide and conquer Democrats Senate filibuster fight throws Democrats' wish list into limbo Parliamentarian changes Senate calculus for Biden agenda MORE (D-Penn.) did the same for more than 342,000 children, Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterPelosi: 'No intention' of abandoning Democrats' infrastructure goals McConnell seeks to divide and conquer Democrats Progressives want to tighten screws beyond Manchin and Sinema MORE (D-Mont.) for nearly 45,000 children, and Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineThis week: Democrats face fractures in spending fight Democrats mull overhaul of sweeping election bill Overnight Defense: Pentagon details military construction projects getting .2B restored from wall funds | Biden chooses former commander to lead Navy | Bill seeks to boost visa program for Afghans who helped US MORE (D-Va.) for 66,000 children. Their constituents are going to demand answers.

The majority of Americans believe keeping the government running is more important than finding a DACA solution, according to a new CNN poll. Democrats in Congress, especially Senate Democrats in red states, will be held accountable during this year’s midterm elections.

Millions of Americans have watched Democrats resist and obstruct President Trump at every move, refusing to work with Republicans to find real solutions for the country. Millions of Americans are watching them put politics above people, time and again, and they will be watching Congress this weekend to see what their elected officials do to mitigate a wholly unnecessary crisis. For the Democrats who choose once again to jeopardize government funding, November is going to be a wake-up call.

Ronna McDanielRonna Romney McDanielThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Citizens' Climate Lobby - Deal or no deal? Biden, Capito continue infrastructure talks RNC warns it will advise presidential candidates against future debates if panel doesn't make changes RNC, NRSC intervene in Democratic lawsuits against Florida election law MORE is chairwoman of the Republican National Committee.