Republican Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin said Tuesday that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer privately urged Democratic senators to delay reopening the government until after Election Day.
Democrats are on track to set a new record for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history as Schumer and party leaders signal no plans to reopen it until after Election Day. In an interview on “The Evening Edit,” Mullin said Schumer instructed Democrats to “wait until after the election” to reopen the government.
“Liz, I know Dick Durbin wanted to break with the Democrats and reopen the government,” Mullin told host Elizabeth MacDonald. “Chuck Schumer, in a private meeting with other Democrat senators, said that if you’ll just wait till after the election, I’ll release the handcuffs. I added the handcuffs part, but basically I’m paraphrasing what he said.”
Mullin said Democratic leaders put electoral politics ahead of Americans struggling under the ongoing shutdown.
WATCH:
“The reason why is because they’re afraid their base wouldn’t show up today in Virginia, New Jersey, and in New York. So it’s been about politics,” Mullin said. “It’s never been about policy. It’s been about holding the American people as leverage points, regardless of the damage they cause to the livelihood of these individuals. But elections are more important than the Dems because they know their polls are at the very bottom than it’s ever been for the Democrat Party.”
Several progressives have hinted that if Democrats perform well in Tuesday’s elections, the party should continue holding the line and keep the government closed until their demands are met. The longest government shutdown before now lasted 35 days during President Donald Trump’s first term and centered on his push for border wall funding.
That impasse had less widespread impact because Congress had already approved budgets for several major agencies, including the Department of Defense. In contrast, Democrats appear ready to absorb the economic and political fallout even as millions lose access to federal food assistance, flights face disruptions from staff shortages, and small businesses struggle without access to government loans or contracts.
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline, and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Gallego makes bold claim about Trump’s intentions toward Venezuela - December 17, 2025
- Scott Jennings clarifies where Wiles stands with Trump after Vanity Fair backlash - December 17, 2025
- Trump orders major escalation against Venezuela - December 17, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
