Rep. Mike Lawler Accuses Democrats of Deliberately Prolonging Government Shutdown

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., stated on Wednesday that the partial government shutdown is unlikely to end this week, blaming Democrats for intentionally extending the deadlock to satisfy their progressive base. “Based on the way Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are conducting themselves, unfortunately, I don’t think so,” Lawler said during an appearance on Finnerty when asked if the shutdown might conclude by Thursday or Friday.

The federal government entered its eighth day of a partial shutdown after Senate Democrats rejected a House-passed stopgap funding measure that would have sustained operations through mid-November. Lawler described the legislation as a “clean continuing resolution” and criticized Democrats for previously supporting similar measures but now opposing them for political reasons. “The fact is, Hakeem Jeffries and every single House Democrat but for one [Rep. Jared Golden of Maine] voted to shut the government down nearly three weeks ago,” Lawler said. He accused Sen. Schumer of blocking the resolution to avoid a primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and emphasized that Democrats’ resistance stems from fear of alienating their progressive faction.

Lawler dismissed the dispute over Affordable Care Act subsidies as secondary to the broader political strategy, arguing that the stalemate reflects a failure of leadership. “This really isn’t about healthcare,” he said. He contrasted the gridlock with President Donald Trump’s foreign policy achievements, including a recent Middle East peace deal and efforts to secure hostage releases. “Maybe, just maybe, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer could wake up and realize they look like a clown show on Capitol Hill,” Lawler added.