JD Vance blames Chuck Schumer’s fear of AOC primary challenge for govt shutdown
WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance directly blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the government shutdown, claiming the New York Democrat chose to follow far-left members of the Democratic Party.
Speaking at a White House press briefing, Vance argued that Schumer’s political calculations were driven by fears of a primary challenge from progressive firebrand Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).
“The reality here, and let’s be honest about the politics, is that Chuck Schumer is terrified he’s going to get a primary challenge from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,” Vance said.
JD Vance blames Chuck Schumer wing for government shutdown
Vance accused Schumer of listening to far-left radicals in his party. “The reason why the American people’s government is shut down is because Chuck Schumer is listening to the far-left radicals in his own party because he’s terrified of a primary challenge.”
Vance sharpened his attack, saying the consequences of the shutdown would be borne by ordinary Americans.
“Our troops are not getting paid starting today because of the Chuck Schumer wing of the Democratic Party,” he said.
“We have people who require food assistance, low-income Americans who require food assistance, who will not get it unless we reopen the government, thanks to Chuck Schumer and his wing of the Democratic Party.”
He added that disaster preparedness was also at risk. “We have flood insurance as we start hurricane season in the southeastern part of our country. That flood insurance is going to disappear because of Chuck Schumer and the far left of the Democratic Party.”
JD Vance accuses Democrats of pushing illegal immigrant healthcare
The Vice President also accused Democrats of using the shutdown to push for the reinstatement of Biden-era emergency healthcare funding for illegal immigrants, which had been cut under President Donald Trump.
“So, I’d invite Chuck Schumer to join the moderate Democrats and 52 Senate Republicans, do the right thing, open up the people’s government and then let’s fix health care policy for the American people,” Vance said.
Karoline Leavitt pushes Democrats to 'do the right thing' as shutdown crisis deepens
Later in the briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavittwas asked about Vance’s remarks targeting Schumer and Ocasio-Cortez. She acknowledged Schumer’s struggle to unify his caucus.
“I think that certainly Sen Schumer was not expecting three moderates to break with him last night,” Leavitt said. “In fact, last night you heard Sen Schumer say he can’t guarantee that he will be able to hold his caucus together.”
Leavitt added that the White House is encouraging Democrats to “have the courage to do the right thing” and vote for the resolution to restore government funding.
The federal government entered a partial shutdown after Democrats and Republicans failed to reach a funding agreement.
Schumer warned Tuesday, September 30, that President Trump and Republican leaders will soon face mounting public pressure to end the government shutdown.
Schumer accused the GOP of driving the country toward crisis by stonewalling last-minute negotiations. He insisted that Democrats were ready to make a deal, but were met with resistance from the Republican side.
