Staff ReportsCongressman Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey is publicly labeling the current government shutdown a “Democrat Shutdown,” driving home a narrative that places primary blame on Democratic lawmakers for the ongoing stalemate. Van Drew emphasizes that this shutdown is unlike previous ones, where bipartisan gridlock was the norm. Instead, Democrats are actively resisting a straightforward continuing resolution (CR) designed to keep the government operating temporarily while negotiations continue on more complex issues like healthcare and spending.
Van Drew points out that Democrats historically supported CRs in other shutdowns but are now caving to pressure from the party’s far-left wing, choosing confrontation over cooperation. This refusal to pass the CR has led to chaos and gridlock, with Democrats spinning the story to accuse Republicans of sabotaging healthcare and pushing a harmful agenda. House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries characterizes the GOP approach as an attack on vital services, aiming to paint Republicans as the villains while conveniently ignoring the Democrats’ own intransigence.
In the midst of the shutdown drama, critical projects like the Gateway Tunnel, which connects New York and New Jersey, face uncertainty. Democrats, including Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, blame former President Trump for hindering funding, but Van Drew dismisses these accusations. He insists that Trump’s real concern is ensuring that taxpayer money is spent responsibly and expresses skepticism toward progressive concepts like “tree equity” that have been attached to infrastructure discussions.
As the shutdown continues, affecting hundreds of thousands of federal employees nationwide and leaving essential services in limbo, Van Drew’s framing reflects a broader frustration among voters fed up with political posturing. While Democrats attempt to redirect blame and escalate rhetoric, Van Drew’s straightforward message is that this shutdown is rooted in Democratic refusal to cooperate, leaving the government and the American people paying the price.
Ultimately, the “Democrat Shutdown” narrative highlights the deep partisan divisions currently paralyzing Congress, with New Jersey’s representative underscoring the need for pragmatic solutions. Whether this labeling sticks to Democrats in voters’ minds remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: political theater continues to dominate as Americans wait anxiously for the government to reopen and get back to work.
