Bernie Sanders Slams Government Shutdown Deal as a Disaster
Senator Bernie Sanders was not happy. He thought the deal to end the government shutdown was a "disaster." He believed Democrats did not get much in return.
Details of the Deal
- The deal would keep the government running until late January.
- It would also stop federal layoffs and fund some parts of the government until September 2026.
In exchange, Republicans promised a vote on extending health insurance subsidies. These subsidies help people buy insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Without them, many people could pay much higher premiums.
Sanders' Reaction
Sanders was not impressed. He said the vote was "meaningless." He thought it would not pass in the House or get signed by the president.
Support from Other Democrats
Some Democrats supported the deal. They said Republicans would not negotiate further. They also pointed out the shutdown caused a lot of problems, including:
- Delays in food assistance
- Frozen paychecks for federal workers
- Chaos at airports
Blame and Criticism
Sanders blamed President Trump and his allies for the shutdown. He said they caused the crisis by refusing to negotiate. He was also upset with Democrats who voted for the deal. He thought they made a big decision without enough discussion.
Criticism of Senate Minority Leader
Sanders also criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. He called Schumer an "establishment Democrat." Sanders hopes new leaders will emerge in the Senate. But for now, he said, "it is what it is."