Dems push for $15 from supporters in fundraiser, pin shutdown on Trump and GOP
WASHINGTON, DC: Leading Democrats began fundraising off the government shutdown, blaming Republicans and President Donald Trump despite having voted against a bipartisan extension to keep government operations running.
On Wednesday, October 1, Senate Democrats triggered a shutdown after rejecting a clean, bipartisan funding measure.
Democrats sent fundraising emails with donation links attached since shutdown
Democratic lawmakers and top spending groups sent fundraising emails with donation links attached as soon as the shutdown began, even though the lapse jeopardized service member pay, disaster relief funds, and healthcare access.
House Majority PAC, a key Democratic outside spending group, sent a fundraising email on Wednesday featuring Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. It read,"Republicans’ shutdown continues, and Barack and Michelle Obama speak up!” The email added, “One of the most powerful and respected Democratic couples in history have stood up and called on every American to act before it’s too late!"
The message continued, “That’s why House Majority PAC is uniting a historic wave of support to show Trump and Republicans that Democrats will make their shutdown backfire!” It also advertised a “600% match” on every donation.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent his own fundraising email the same day, condemning Trump for posting a morphed video of him wearing a sombrero. “He just posted a racist and bigoted attack against me in a desperate attempt to distract from the Republican shutdown,” Jeffries wrote. “When extremists fan the flames of hostility, you better believe I’ll respond.”
He asked supporters, “Will you rush $15 before midnight to hand Donald Trump and his MAGA allies a stunning rebuke?” Jeffries declined to say whether he would withhold his own paycheck during the shutdown.
Vulnerable House Democrats blasted out fundraising missives during shutdown
Several vulnerable House Democrats facing competitive GOP challengers also blasted out fundraising appeals.
Representative Steven Horsford of Nevada sent an email Wednesday blaming Republicans for the shutdown, despite voting against the spending bill himself. “Together, we can hold Republicans accountable and demand a government that works for the people,” Horsford wrote.
Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio also emailed donors, saying she and her colleagues “have been in Washington all week, doing our job: working to keep our government open and fighting to protect affordable healthcare for families in Northwest Ohio and across the country,” while accusing Republicans of having “literally walked out.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the chamber after nearly all Democrats, including Kaptur, opposed a bipartisan spending bill on September 19.
Democratic candidates for 2026 also joined in. New Hampshire House candidate Stefany Shaheen wrote in a fundraising email, “Today, Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress have shut down the federal government, and we will all pay the price."
