By Matt Underwood Republicans grapple with shutdown – and why more are blaming the GOP:
It’s pretty clear where the finger-pointing is landing, and the blame is squarely on the shoulders of the GOP. The current government shutdown is creating a crisis, and it’s increasingly evident that the Republican Party bears the brunt of the responsibility. Consider that the former President has called the shutdown an “unprecedented opportunity,” a statement that speaks volumes about the priorities at play. It appears this isn’t a mistake. The Republicans, having control of all three branches of government, are in a position to resolve the situation, yet the shutdown persists.
The fact that the GOP wasn’t even present at the bargaining table when the shutdown began speaks volumes. Republicans have the power to end this shutdown with a simple majority vote in the Senate. They could change the rules and pass a budget within the hour, but they choose not to. It’s hard to ignore that they *can* end it and *aren’t*. We see this as Republicans building a ballroom while the government is shut down and the President is traveling the world. The circumstances and actions point directly to the Republicans, and the people are rightfully holding them accountable.
This isn’t about mere political gamesmanship; it’s about the very function of government. If we consider the global stage, we see that other countries would likely call for snap elections in these circumstances. It is their government. Instead, we see them on Fox News spreading misinformation while the current administration seems unconcerned. It’s a pattern, and it’s no surprise that people are starting to see through the rhetoric.
The narrative from the GOP is consistently about blaming the Democrats. The Republicans blame the Democrats for everything; and now few are willing to believe these claims. It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the core Republican stance is about not compromising and getting their way, or nothing at all. They would rather crash the economy and benefit financially than compromise. The three branches are under their control, yet the shutdown continues. There’s no excusing this, and the people are taking notice.
The efforts to deflect blame by blaming the Democrats don’t ring true. The truth is simple: the Republicans are in charge. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more difficult it will be for them to spin the narrative, and the more they will be held accountable. While the GOP is focused on tax breaks and shutting down the government, the public is starting to see what’s happening. The reality is that the GOP can end this anytime they choose. They want to eliminate policies they don’t like.
There are signs of growing recognition of who is truly at fault. People see a political party ignoring recent election outcomes and choosing to keep the government closed. We see MAGA partisans witnessing a former President tearing down the White House to build a ballroom while declaring that he’s making America great. The evidence is clear.
The Republican talking points are becoming less effective as the public sees through the lies. If you are blaming the Democrats for this, then you are not paying attention to what is happening. The GOP is in control of everything. It’s hard to ignore that their legislative accomplishments included tax cuts and a shutdown during the prior administration. The Democrats are refusing to go along with a CR unless they address the subsidies. The only reasonable conclusion is that the republicans plan to vote against subsidies after the democrats approve the CR. The reality is that it is their shutdown.
The power dynamic is clear, and the responsibility is too. There are no excuses. The GOP is in control and legally doesn’t require a single Democratic vote to end this (if they choose to go nuclear). The blame belongs to the GOP and it is indeed their mess. It is frustrating to witness the Republicans blaming the Democrats when they control all branches of government.
The Republicans are seemingly uninterested in compromise. They’ve reduced Congress to mouthpieces telling people to remain calm for the last eight months. They are choosing which aspects of the government to fund, and the public is seeing which payouts are prioritized. The ship is sinking, and the Republican leadership is pointing fingers. The GOP is using this as leverage. If people aren’t receiving money and help, they are blaming the Democrats. The Democrats have the leverage in the situation, so why aren’t they more assertive?