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Vance’s most forceful criticism centered on the principle of governance itself.
He pointed out that House Republicans had already passed what he called a “clean funding bill,” one that would have kept the government running while negotiations continued on broader policy issues. According to Vance, it was Senate Democrats who refused to advance the measure, forcing the shutdown.
Turning Democrats’ Own Words Against Them
The vice president also noted the irony of the current situation, recalling how Democrats have long criticized Republicans for using shutdowns as leverage.
“For twenty years, I’ve heard Democrats stand before the American people and say, ‘You don’t shut down the government just because you’re not getting what you want,’” Vance said. “And yet, here we are. The far-left wing of the Democratic Party has done exactly that.”
He added that this kind of brinkmanship hurts not only the economy but also public confidence in government. “It’s the same Americans who get caught in the middle every time — federal workers, small business owners, and families who depend on timely services.”