Sen. Pete Ricketts Accuses Democrats of Using Government Shutdown as ‘Political Leverage’

By Nicole Weatherholtz | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 02:10 PM EST

Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., criticized Democrats on Wednesday for what he called their “hypocritical” stance on the government shutdown during an appearance on Newsmax’s “National Report.” Ricketts argued that Democrats are exploiting the crisis as “political leverage,” while families and federal workers face the consequences.

“The language they’re using is leverage,” Ricketts said, adding that Democrats have repeatedly rejected a spending plan they previously supported. He emphasized that the budget in question is “a Biden budget” and “a bipartisan solution,” accusing Democrats of abandoning their own positions to prolong the stalemate.

Ricketts highlighted the impact on public servants and families, noting delays in SNAP benefits and unpaid federal workers, including air traffic controllers and law enforcement. He cited Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who previously stated that healthcare debates should not occur during a government shutdown, as evidence of Democratic hypocrisy.

The senator also downplayed recent election results, stating that Republican losses in states like New Jersey and Virginia do not overshadow the need to clarify responsibility for the shutdown. “We’ve got to do a better job as Republicans in telling people, hey, this was a Biden budget,” Ricketts said.