Gavin Newsom blasts 'pathetic' shutdown deal, urges Democrats not to 'bend the knee'

WASHINGTON, DC: California Gov Gavin Newsom has come out swinging against the bipartisan deal, using his platform on X (formerly Twitter) to loudly express his strong objection. 

The longest government shutdown in US history is heading toward a resolution, following a late-night Senate session on Sunday, November 9, but a pivotal part of the deal has ignited outrage among top Democrats, including Newsom.

Gavin Newsom's fierce opposition to the deal

The first post regarding the deal came from Gavin Newsom's press office. In response to a comment on X saying that the deal "does absolutely zero on Obamacare," the office wrote, "Pathetic. This isn’t a deal. It’s a surrender. Don’t bend the knee!" 

After the vote, which saw eight Democratic senators voting with the Republicans to achieve the 60 votes needed to advance the deal, the governor stated, "America deserves better," a message amplified shortly after with a more forceful post: "Pathetic."

The Affordable Care Act subsidies controversy

The central sticking point for Gavin Newsom, along with the other Democrats who opposed the vote, was that the continuing resolution did not include the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Instead, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune committed only to holding a separate vote on legislation to extend the subsidies by the second week of December.

Newsom immediately undermined the credibility of that assurance when he retweeted a previous clip on X of House Speaker Mike Johnson refusing to commit to a date certain for a vote on the matter in the House and wrote, “Just going to leave this one here.”

JB Pritzker, Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders rage against shutdown deal

Gavin Newsom is not alone in his condemnation; several other key Democrats have similarly lashed out at the deal.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker described the deal as an "empty promise" and argued, "Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families."

"Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare,” he stressed. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would oppose the deal, and veteran Senator Bernie Sanders branded the Republican promise of a vote on the subsidies a “totally meaningless gesture” because he believes the Republican-controlled House and President Donald Trump would never agree to sign it into law.

Sanders warned that "it would be a horrific mistake to cave in to Trump right now."