Senator John Thune Blasts Democrats for Government Shutdown Leverage

Thune Accuses Democrats of Causing Government Shutdown

• 📌 Senator John Thune asserts that the ongoing government shutdown is a Democrat shutdown, now in its 29th day.
• 💡 He states the House of Representatives has passed a bill that, with five more Democratic votes, could reopen the government.
• 🎯 Thune highlights that Republicans have voted 13 times on a bill to open the government, mirroring the 13 clean CRs Democrats passed when they held the majority.

Democrats Accused of Using Shutdown for Political Gain

• 🗣️ Thune criticizes Democratic leaders for publicly stating the shutdown is Republicans' fault, calling it a defiance of facts and reality.
• 💰 He quotes Senator Schumer saying "every day gets better for us" regarding the shutdown, questioning who benefits and highlighting the suffering of air traffic controllers, TSA agents, troops, and SNAP recipients.
• ⚖️ The House Democrat whip is quoted saying "families that are going to suffer, but it is one of the few leverage times we have," and the Senator from Delaware is quoted stating, "this is our only moment of leverage."

"Trump Derangement Syndrome" as Motivation

• 🧠 Thune posits that the Democrats' actions are driven by "Trump derangement syndrome on steroids," causing them to hold the American people hostage.
• 🚫 He argues that Democrats are unwilling to pass a clean, nonpartisan CR, despite having no issues with clean CRs under President Biden.
• 🤝 Thune calls for five courageous Democrats to join Republicans to pass a bill that would fund the government and alleviate the pain caused by the shutdown.

Criticism of Obamacare and Healthcare Policy

• 🏥 Thune addresses the Democrat leader's claim that Republicans don't want to discuss healthcare, stating Republicans are eager to discuss it.
• 📉 He argues that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has failed to address rising healthcare costs, contrary to promises made in 2009 and by President Obama.
• 💸 Extending Biden COVID bonuses is seen as a "band-aid on a gaping wound" that won't fix the underlying issues of spiraling healthcare costs under Obamacare.
• 💡 Republicans have healthcare ideas, including cost-sharing reductions, association health plans, and expanding Health Savings Accounts, and are ready for bipartisan work once the government reopens.

SNAP Funding Bill Criticized as Political Cover

• 🆘 Thune criticizes a proposed Democratic bill to fund food stamps during the shutdown, calling it a "cynical attempt to provide political cover."
• 🚫 He points out that this bill does not include paychecks for troops, law enforcement, federal firefighters, air traffic controllers, or funding for essential programs like rental assistance and small business loans.
• ✅ Thune reiterates that a clean, nonpartisan CR is available to fund SNAP, WIC, and the entire federal government, urging Democrats to end the shutdown.