Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) has criticized Senate Democrats in an op-ed published in the LaPolitics’ Beltway Beat newsletter, calling on them to vote to reopen the federal government. Kennedy accused some Democratic senators of prioritizing their political goals over the needs of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown.
“Senators are supposed to work for the American people, but some of my Democratic colleagues think the inverse is true. They believe the American people work for them, and this shutdown proves that they don’t mind making some work without pay to further their political agenda,” Kennedy wrote.
He claimed that Senate Democrats are demanding an additional $1.5 trillion in spending on various programs as a condition for ending the shutdown. According to Kennedy, these include “a bailout for their broken Obamacare exchanges, insurance for illegal immigrants, and renewed funding for NPR and PBS.”
Kennedy argued that while negotiations continue, many Americans are facing hardship. He stated: “As Democrats continue to pursue this delusional spending spree, the American people are suffering. Air traffic controllers, our troops, and other federal employees are working without pay. Families who rely upon the National Flood Insurance Program to protect their homes have been unable to secure new policies. And Louisianians who receive food stamps don’t know whether they’ll be able to buy groceries next week.”
He also expressed opposition to using missed paychecks or disruptions as bargaining tools: “Unlike my Democratic colleagues, I don’t see missing paychecks or empty dinner plates as leverage. That’s why I’ve been working to make sure that only members of Congress feel the pain of a shutdown.”
Kennedy concluded by urging moderate Democrats to support reopening the government: “Most Democratic senators have refused to vote for these shutdown reforms because the loon wing of their party thinks it’s good to take the country hostage in exchange for socialist policies. But my sane Democratic colleagues know it’s wrong. It’s time for those Senators to buy a spine online and vote to reopen the country.”
