The government shutdown has now entered day 22, and the air on Capitol Hill is becoming thick with frustration. Republican Congressman Mark Harris from North Carolina, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, recently shared his thoughts on the political gridlock that has left federal workers in limbo and the American public holding their breath. It seems that the Democrat-led Senate has rejected a clean continuing resolution (CR) proposed by the House a whopping 12 times. This CR would have extended government funding until November 21st without any fancy add-ons or tricks, simply allowing more appropriation bills to move forward. However, political gamesmanship seems to be at play, and Congressman Harris is calling it “the politics of pain,” which is quite an apt phrase given the current circumstances.
As the clock ticks, many federal workers are facing uncertainty about their paychecks. Fortunately, the President took measures to ensure that military personnel were paid on time earlier this month, but what about the average federal employee? They are left hanging while the Senate plays political dodgeball instead of getting down to the real business of governing. Not to mention those relying on SNAP benefits, who could soon find themselves in a precarious position. The Congressman emphasizes that it is the everyday American who is bearing the brunt of this standoff. With the poorest in our country particularly vulnerable, the term “Schumer shutdown” has been thrown around as a way to highlight the impact of these political tactics.
Interestingly, some Democrats have been quite candid about their motives, with Representative Katherine Clark admitting that the shutdown serves as “leverage,” even if it means that people will suffer. This troubling admission has led to an outcry from Republican leaders, including White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, who pointed out that the Democrats are openly acknowledging their strategy to inflict suffering on families. The Congressman insists that this is a clear display of the Democrats prioritizing their political agenda above the welfare of the people they were elected to serve.
Throughout the conversation, Congressman Harris remains confident that the American public will see through the chaos and hold the Democrats accountable for their actions. He believes that while the opposition might be attempting to thwart the President’s victories over the past ten months, the tide will turn. Harris mentions that there have been Democratic members willing to cross party lines to support a solution, which indicates a growing discontent even among some in the opposition. But this shutdown, he argues, should not serve as a negotiating tactic for political gain.
As for President Biden’s involvement, Harris posits that there’s little for him to do at this point. The solution seems straightforward: pass the clean continuing resolution that has already gained considerable support. Yet, the Democrats’ refusal to budge complicates matters further. The Congressman has expressed hope that they will eventually recognize the futility of holding the American people hostage to achieve their objectives. It’s a tough spot to be in, as one can almost visualize Capitol Hill turning into a game of political chess—except this isn’t just a game; it involves real-life consequences for millions of Americans.
In the face of this shutdown, one thing is clear: the American people are growing weary of political posturing. As negotiations stall and uncertainty looms, citizens are left to wonder how many more days of this shutdown they will endure. For now, all eyes remain fixed on Capitol Hill, with hopes that cooler heads will ultimately prevail. Because let’s face it, no one wants to be holding the bill when the check comes due!
