Senate GOP Leader Accuses Schumer of Caving to Radical Democrats in Shutdown Standoff

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Newsmax Wednesday of yielding to his party’s most extreme liberal faction during the ongoing government shutdown crisis.

The Senate failed for the sixth time on Wednesday to advance funding bills to reopen the federal government, as Republicans and Democrats exchanged blame over the stalemate entering its second week. During an appearance on “The Record With Greta Van Susteren,” Barrasso claimed Democrats were endangering Americans by refusing to compromise.

“We continue to talk to a number of Democrats,” Barrasso said when asked about potential bipartisan movement, adding that “Democrats are playing a dangerous game, and people are getting hurt in the process.” He cited a Washington Post editorial titled “Democratic leaders play a dangerous game” to support his claims.

Barrasso highlighted the impact on military members who remain unpaid and families reliant on food assistance programs. He criticized Democrats for failing to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels, noting they had done so 13 times under former President Joe Biden. “Why won’t they do it? Because President [Donald] Trump is in the White House,” he said, accusing Democrats of prioritizing political retaliation over public welfare.

The Wyoming Republican alleged Schumer had ceded control to his party’s radical wing, describing a “war room” strategy that forced him to align with progressive demands. Barrasso claimed liberal members threatened to challenge Schumer’s leadership unless he supported the shutdown, citing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as examples of the party’s shift.

Barrasso urged Democrats to back a GOP-proposed funding measure that passed the House but failed in the Senate, emphasizing the need to “open the government” to prevent further harm. He condemned Schumer’s alleged submission to his party’s agenda, calling it “wrong” and urging him to “stop this.”