WaPO Editorial Board Pans Activist Democrats on Shutdown Demands

After eight Democrats broke ranks to vote with Republicans to reopen the government after a record shutdown that has lasted a record 42 days, the Washington Post Editorial Board panned the Democrats who steadfastly refused to pass the necessary legislation 14 times. In the end, the spending bill that passed was essentially the same one they had voted against for the last month and a half, which has resulted in the left-wing of the Party exploding in anger that Minority Leader Chuck Schumer couldn’t hold his caucus together, as the Post notes.

As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history nears its denouement, many on the left have put on a performance of disappointment. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) called the bipartisan deal to reopen the government “a policy and political disaster.” Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, deemed it “capitulation.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) described it as “pathetic.”

They’re mad that Democrats didn’t get an extension of all covid-era Obamacare subsidies, but the public could do without such faux outrage.

It may be called the Affordable Care Act, but it’s only affordable because the Democrats voted to not only extend the government subsidies, but expand who was eligible under Biden, and they want that extended even longer which will only lead to a permanent subsidy and a complete distortion of the healthcare insurance market.

The Post praised the Democrats who helped break the logjam, noting that it wasn’t exactly an act of political courage, since none of them are up for reelection next year.

The senators who broke ranks with the Democratic caucus on Sunday deserve credit. They include Dick Durbin (Illinois), Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire), Tim Kaine (Virginia), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Jacky Rosen (Nevada). Three senators who have been voting against the shutdown for longer deserve even more: Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada), John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) and independent Angus King (Maine), who caucuses with Democrats. These eight are taking heat from their party’s progressive wing so that their colleagues don’t have to. Notably, none of them are up for reelection next year.

It will take a while for the government to get back up to speed after this shutdown, and then we will have to wait and see if Congress can agree on a budget before the as yet to be approved continuing resolution expires at the end of January.