Rep. Katherine Clark (D‑CT), the second-highest ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, admitted on Thursday that the ongoing government shutdown—and the resulting hardship for American families—is being used as political leverage by Democrats. Speaking to Fox News, Clark said, “Shutdowns are terrible… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”
Clark’s comments confirm what Republicans have been warning: that Democrats are deliberately prolonging the shutdown to extract political concessions, even while families across the country struggle. She acknowledged that the shutdown coincides with a looming healthcare crisis as Americans receive premium notices ahead of the Obamacare marketplace’s November 1st enrollment period. “People are receiving their premium notices… and say, ‘I can’t afford this.’ That is a real crisis,” she said.
Despite this acknowledgment, Clark and other Democrat leaders are refusing to reopen the government, even though House Republicans and President Donald Trump have offered a clean continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government at current levels. The CR contains no additional spending or cuts and would allow lawmakers to address healthcare and other critical issues without delay.
The refusal to sign the CR signals that Democrats are prioritizing political leverage over immediate relief for working families. The move is drawing sharp criticism, especially given Clark’s admission that Democrats see shutdowns as “inflection points” for negotiating power rather than emergencies to avoid.
Polls show the shutdown has had minimal impact on President Trump’s support. Republicans argue that Democrats are miscalculating, and say the delay only helps the administration cut bloated programs and unaccountable bureaucracy.
