Democrats accused of hypocrisy over ‘hostage-taking,’ ‘ransom’ rhetoric in past shutdown fights

WASHINGTON — As Democrats find themselves demanding concessions during the latest budget negotiations, echoes of their previous criticisms of Republicans during past government shutdowns have surfaced once again.

In a significant shift from previous budget impasses this century, the GOP is attempting to push through a clean continuing resolution to fund the government at ongoing levels, while Democrats are now the ones insisting on negotiations.

“We refuse to spend $2.5 billion or $5 billion of taxpayer money as part of a ransom because Donald Trump decided to shut down the government and hold the American populace hostage,” stated then-incoming House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” in late 2018.

Among the most vocal Senate Democrats amid both the March budget standoff and the current negotiations is Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who was critical of the GOP during the earlier shutdown.

“Stop negotiating. Open the government first. Then we can discuss anything else,” he asserted as the previous deadlock approached resolution. This time, Murphy has criticized Republicans for not engaging in negotiations.

“Negotiations aren’t happening since Trump has instructed Republicans not to engage with Democrats,” he expressed to MediasTouch earlier this month. “We’re simply not asking for the impossible.”

Nonetheless, the demands that Democrats are making concerning healthcare carry a significantly higher price tag than what Trump sought during the border wall negotiations in late 2018.

Extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies could cost around $350 billion through 2035, as indicated by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. In addition, fully reversing Medicaid reforms backed by the GOP could amount to nearly $600 billion, according to various estimates.

Republicans have remarked on this situation, noting that “under Biden, Democrats claimed they were ‘saving’ the government from shutdowns. Currently, they are threatening a shutdown to advance their extreme agenda. This is pure hypocrisy,” a message echoed on their official X account last week. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) also penned an op-ed in The Post, highlighting the inconsistency in Democrats’ stance over time.

“Next time you hear a Democrat lambasting you about ‘extremism’ and ‘hostage-taking,’ remember: they made similar claims about shutdowns when it served their interests,” he noted.

Organizations like the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) are capitalizing on Democrats’ past statements as they approach the midterm elections next year.

“Two-Faced Tom Suozzi, Lying Laura Gillen, and Fake Moderate Josh Riley have endangered the lives of those who placed their trust in them with their votes, and they know it,” asserted NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole to The Post.

This situation has led to claims that “even for these disconnected Democrats, this represents a new low; New Yorkers will not send them back to Congress as a result.”

The NRCC has highlighted instances of Representative Suozzi criticizing Trump in early 2019 for “holding lives hostage while negotiating a personal agenda.”

It has also revisited statements by upstate Representative Josh Riley (D-NY), who warned last year that a government shutdown would lead to “seniors being deprived of benefits, kids missing care, and workers not receiving paychecks,” along with Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY), who criticized the GOP for producing a “circus and brinksmanship that endangers millions.”

An estimated 20,000 federal employees in the districts of Gillen, Riley, and Suozzi may face non-payment if the government closes.

Gillen has attributed the impasse to Republican influences.

“We’re facing a cost-of-living crisis. The last thing Long Islanders need is skyrocketing healthcare expenses due to Republicans refusing to negotiate,” Gillen expressed to The Post. “If tax credits are allowed to expire, thousands of Long Islanders will experience significant cost increases. That’s why I’m in Washington advocating for a bipartisan package to reduce these costs.”

In response, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) spokesperson Riya Vashi stated, “Tom Suozzi, Laura Gillen, and Josh Riley are in DC fighting against the healthcare crisis instigated by Republicans and advocating for essential financial aid for their constituents. If a shutdown occurs, the responsibility lies with Republicans for neglecting their duties.”