Senate Democrats Play Hardball With Trump On Government Shutdown

Senate Democrats like Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) have a message for Trump and his party. It's on them to avoid a government shutdown.

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The Senate is, by design, deliberative and slow. The Senate was intended to be the legislative mechanism that avoided rapid and rash decisions. The lack of speed can become frustrating for many Americans who want and demand faster action.

Until very recently, the slowness of the Senate was on full display as Senate Democrats appeared not to sense the urgency and threat presented by the second Trump presidency.

House Democrats, because they are up for reelection next year, were much faster than their Senate colleagues at pushing back and responding to the Trump threat.

Over the course of the current week, with their phones ringing off the hook from constituents demanding that they do something, Senate Democrats have been much more involved in the resistance to Trump.

Democrats are tactically escalating and heading for a big showdown with Trump on government funding.

Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) made it clear on Meet The Press that Democrats won’t help Trump keep the government open.

Transcript via Meet The Press:

SEN. ANDY KIM:

They are simply trying to dismantle the government. So yes, look, if we have to take steps to be able to hold them accountable, we use the leverage that we have to force it, I cannot support efforts that will continue this lawlessness that we're seeing when it comes to this administration's actions. And for us to be able to support government funding in that way, only for them to turn it around to dismantle the government, that is not something that should be allowed.

KRISTEN WELKER:

So just to be clear, Senator, you are open to voting yes to shut down the government to make this point.

SEN. ANDY KIM:

This is on them. This is about whether or not they can get the votes. They are the majority.