The ongoing federal government shutdown has placed Senate Democrats in a precarious position, as they grapple with the potential backlash from their left-wing constituents.
The Washington Free Beacon reports that Democrats are hesitant to end the shutdown due to fears of severe repercussions from their progressive base. An anonymous Democratic senator revealed to The Hill that supporting a short-term, Republican-led House bill could lead to significant political fallout, stating that centrist Democrats would have reopened the government "yesterday" if not for the fear of career-ending consequences.
As the shutdown stretches into its 20th day, it ranks among the longest in American history. While numerous Democratic lawmakers have publicly expressed concern over the financial strain on federal workers, some prominent figures, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, have chosen to retain their taxpayer-funded salaries.
This decision has drawn criticism, particularly as these officials continue to receive their $193,400 annual salaries while federal employees face missed paychecks.
According to The Hill, a second Senate Democratic insider commented on the situation, stating, "We would have enough votes" to end the shutdown if lawmakers were not "terrified of getting the guillotine" from their base.
This sentiment was echoed ahead of the left-wing "No Kings" protests over the weekend. Despite the pressure, only three members of the Senate Democratic CaucusSenators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Angus King of Maine, an independent who aligns with Democratshave expressed support for ending the shutdown.
Additionally, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire recently voted to advance a defense funding bill, suggesting she may be open to breaking ranks.
The decision by Shaheen and others to support the bill has not gone unnoticed by left-wing activists. Andrew O'Neill, national advocacy director for Indivisible, criticized the vote as "GOP political theater," accusing the three Democrats of participating in the spectacle. However, Senator Fetterman defended his decision, telling The Hill, "I voted yes to pay our service members. That's service members over party. That's not baffling to me."
In a related update, a previous report indicated that Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota had chosen to keep her salary during the shutdown. However, a spokesperson for Klobuchar has since clarified that she will defer her salary. As the shutdown continues, the tension between Democratic lawmakers and their progressive base remains a significant factor in the ongoing political stalemate.
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