By Jim Thomas | Saturday, 01 November 2025 06:22 PM EDT
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., accused Democratic leaders of intentionally prolonging the federal government shutdown to gain political advantage, leaving families in crisis as the 32nd day of the impasse approached. Speaking to Newsmax, Mackenzie criticized Democrats for blocking funding measures that could have reopened agencies and restored vital services, calling their actions a betrayal of American citizens.
Mackenzie specifically targeted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., alleging they prioritized political agendas over public welfare. “The Democrats are playing politics with the American people’s livelihoods,” he stated. “They’ve voted 13 times against funding the government, and they’re transparent about it.”
The congressman highlighted that the House had already approved funding for programs like SNAP, WIC, Head Start, and military pay in late September, but Democrats refused to act. He cited Clark’s admission that the shutdown was a tactic for leverage and Schumer’s dismissive comments about the situation improving. “Chuck Schumer said it gets better every day,” Mackenzie noted. “That is not accurate.”
Mackenzie described the shutdown’s impact as “heartbreaking,” citing rising food insecurity and strained community resources. He warned that programs in his district, including Head Start, risked closure due to funding shortfalls, while food banks faced empty shelves. “The Democrats know what they’re doing. It’s callous and calculated,” he concluded, blaming the crisis on Democratic resistance to former President Donald Trump’s policies.
