House Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) penned an op-ed for MSNBC on Wednesday accused MAGA Republicans of "hijacking" the government and offering a ransom note that will ultimately kill the hostages.
"Nearly 10 months into their majority, House Republicans haven’t used their power to create jobs, lower costs or build safer communities," she wrote. "They have used it to play increasingly unhinged political games — first manufacturing a dangerous debt ceiling crisis and now careening toward a needless, painful government shutdown."
One reason for the current crisis is that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) now appears to be reneging on a bipartisan deal he made earlier this year with President Joe Biden to maintain certain levels of government funding after threats from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and his MAGA caucus.
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Clark went on to list off the demands from the members she referred to as the "hijackers."
- Impeach the president without facts or evidence.
- Impose a nationwide abortion ban — starting with our service members.
- Defund the FBI.
- Gut cancer research.
- Tear food assistance away from hungry moms, kids and babies.
- Slash our seniors’ Social Security and Medicare benefits.
- Cut the lifesaving health care we promised to our veterans.
After publishing their demands, Republicans were blasted for their recent move to rebrand themselves as "pro-baby," while cutting millions in services to children.
"Among their other proposals: a 59% cut to the money that ensures our drinking water is safe," explained Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy for the Center for American Progress in a list of cuts.
Clark brought up what happened the last time there was a shutdown that ultimately cost taxpayers $20 billion.
"In past shutdowns, veterans calling the VA were sent to voicemail. Small businesses couldn’t access loans," she recalled. "Tax refunds totaling $4 billion sat unmailed. FDA and EPA inspections ground to a halt. Even the Pentagon had to furlough employees."
Clark explained that McCarthy's only option was to hand over every concession to the MAGA caucus, which would never pass the Senate or be signed by the president. The alternative is McCarthy will be removed as Speaker by his own members.
"McCarthy has chosen to prioritize his job security above all else, and the consequences of this shutdown will lie at his feet," wrote Clark. "It’s not too late to come back from the edge and honor the hard-bargained agreement we reached four months ago."
