JD Vance, GOP leaders blast Chuck Schumer over 'every day gets better for Dems' shutdown remark

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance and Republican leaders launched sharp attacks against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over a comment he made suggesting that “every day gets better” for Democrats as the government shutdown drags on.

Schumer made the remark during an interview with Punchbowl News, sparking backlash from the GOP and the Trump administration as the shutdown entered its ninth day.

"Better for Schumer. Worse for Americans. What a vile sentiment from an alleged leader in our country," said Vice President JD Vance in an X post. 

Karoline Leavitt slams Chuck Schumer over shutdown remarks

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted Schumer’s statement on X, saying it showed Democrats were “gleeful” about the shutdown’s impact on Americans.

“While federal workers stress over missed paychecks, military families turn to food pantries, and airports around the country face delays — Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are bragging that ‘every day gets better’ for them,” Leavitt wrote. 

“What a disgusting and revealing statement. Democrats are gleeful about inflicting pain on the American people,” she added. 

Republicans criticize Chuck Schumer over comments about shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was stunned by Schumer’s “callous” tone. “I don’t even know how to comment on that,” Johnson said during a news conference with other GOP leaders.

“It’s so stunning to me how callous he can be, to play political games and use American citizens as pawns.” Johnson warned that the shutdown’s consequences are “very real,” noting that “half of our civilian federal employees are on furlough.”

Later, he posted on X, "Washington DC is a split screen right now. On one side: President Trump & Republicans are DELIVERING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE by cutting taxes for hardworking American families, ending the BORDER crisis, ending the CRIME crisis, eliminating FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE in government, and bringing an end to conflicts around the world! On the other side: Chuck Schumer & Democrats are playing games with the lives and livelihoods of Americans and bragging that ‘every day of the shutdown gets better’ for his party. That says it all," he said.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise also condemned the remark, saying, “If you’re Chuck Schumer and a good day for you is defined by how much suffering you can impose on other people, including our men and women in uniform, maybe you need to look in the mirror and check yourself at the door.”

In the Senate, Minority Whip John Thune displayed a poster of Schumer’s quote on the chamber floor, saying, “This isn’t a political game. Democrats might feel that way, but I don’t know anybody else that does.”

Senator Tim Scott said, "Senator Schumer says, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ Our troops and law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect us are facing uncertainty about their next paycheck. It’s unconscionable Democrats are taking victory laps over refusing to reopen the government while Americans suffer."

Rep Richard Hudson said that while military families, federal workers, law enforcement, and travelers feel the pain of a shutdown, Chuck Schumer and Democrats are bragging that “every day gets better.” "They’re more focused on political games than helping the American people."

Chuck Schumer clarifies remarks, says GOP to blame for shutdown

Following the uproar, Schumer’s office pointed to his remarks on the Senate floor, in which he appeared to clarify his intent.

“Every day that Republicans refuse to negotiate to end this shutdown, the worse it gets for Americans and the clearer it becomes who is fighting for them,” Schumer said.

He added that Democrats’ case to protect health care and reopen the government “gets better and better” as Americans feel the impact of GOP resistance.