Washington’s latest budget brawl has left nearly a million federal workers furloughed, and the finger-pointing is in full swing.
According to Newsmax, the government shutdown, which kicked off on Oct. 1, 2025, after Congress couldn’t agree on year-end funding, has delayed paychecks for millions and sidelined essential services.
Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, didn’t hold back during his appearance on Newsmax’s “National Report” on Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 2025. He slammed Democrat leaders for treating the shutdown as a bargaining chip, a move he sees as prioritizing political games over people’s livelihoods. It’s a fair critique when you consider the real-world impact on federal employees struggling to pay bills.
Smith pointed the finger squarely at Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accusing them of repeatedly blocking a straightforward continuing resolution. He claimed they’ve voted down a basic funding bill no less than 13 times, a stubbornness that seems less about principle and more about posturing. If true, that’s a lot of “no” votes while workers go unpaid.
According to Smith, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has been pushing hard to get a vote on continued funding, only to hit a brick wall with Schumer’s camp. “Unfortunately … Schumer and the Senate Democrats are refusing to allow a vote on a continuation of funding,” Smith said. That’s a damning charge, and it paints a picture of gridlock that’s more about power than progress.
Thune, for his part, has urged Democrats to scale back their demands, particularly on immediate extensions of Affordable Care Act subsidies, as a condition for ending the standoff. It’s a reasonable ask when the alternative is leaving vital programs in limbo. Progressive agendas shouldn’t trump keeping the government’s lights on.
Yet, amidst the partisan muck, Smith found a silver lining in Thune and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., labeling them as rare “voices of reason.” It’s refreshing to see cross-aisle cooperation, even if it’s just a flicker, in a town that often thrives on division.
Fetterman has been vocal about the need to reopen the government, emphasizing that essential benefit programs are at stake. He’s right to argue that Americans shouldn’t be pawns in this mess, a sentiment that cuts through the usual political noise. “Not any party’s leverage,” Fetterman declared, a pointed reminder that real lives hang in the balance.
Smith echoed Fetterman’s frustration with the funding lapse, agreeing that holding up government operations for leverage is just wrong. When even a Democrat like Fetterman breaks ranks to call for action, it’s a signal that the status quo isn’t working. Maybe more should follow his lead.
Fetterman also expressed optimism about working with Thune on healthcare subsidies once the shutdown ends, a rare nod of trust in today’s polarized climate. “I do believe Majority Leader Thune is an honorable guy, and I do believe we could have a sincere conversation,” he said. That kind of goodwill could be the bridge Washington desperately needs.
Smith’s praise for both senators suggests there’s still room for bipartisan problem-solving, even if it’s overshadowed by the broader stalemate. It’s not often you hear a conservative like Smith tip his hat to a Democrat, but Fetterman’s stance seems to have struck a chord. Let’s hope that spirit catches on. The shutdown’s toll is staggering, with around 900,000 federal employees furloughed and countless others facing delayed pay. These aren’t just numbers; they’re families wondering how to make ends meet while politicians bicker. It’s a stark reminder of why resolving this quickly matters.
Critics of the Democrat strategy, as Smith sees it, might argue that pushing controversial policies during a crisis is a recipe for paralysis. When Senate Democrats cling to demands like ACA subsidy extensions over a clean funding bill, per Thune’s critique, it’s hard not to wonder if ideology is trumping common sense.
Still, the path forward isn’t just about pointing fingers; it’s about compromise, as Thune and Fetterman seem to grasp. If both sides can take a page from their playbook, there’s a chance to end this deadlock without more collateral damage. The question is whether Schumer and company will budge.
For now, the American people wait, caught in a shutdown that’s already gone on too long since Oct. 1, 2025. Smith’s comments on Newsmax were a call to action, but they’re also a challenge to leaders on both sides to put citizens over partisan wins. Here’s hoping Washington listens before more damage is done.