Byron York suggests government shutdown left Democratic Party in ‘civil war’
Byron York, chief political correspondent for the Washington Examiner, discusses the deep divisions within the Democratic Party that became evident during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. On Fox News, York noted a “fundamental divide” between progressive Democrats and more moderate members, describing the shutdown period as a turbulent time marked by internal conflict and controversy. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces significant backlash for his handling of the shutdown, especially for refusing to reopen the government without extending Obamacare premium subsidies, prompting some Democrats to call for his replacement. Despite this, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has defended Schumer’s leadership. The episode highlights ongoing tensions within the party, reflecting what York described as a “civil war” over direction and leadership amid critical legislative challenges.
Byron York suggests government shutdown left Democratic Party in ‘civil war’
Washington Examiner chief political correspondent Byron York said he still sees a “fundamental divide” among Democratic senators following the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
“In the course of about seven or eight days, [Democrats] went from election euphoria to shutdown civil war to Epstein mania,” York said on Fox News’s Fox Report with Jon Scott. “But through the whole time, they still have a fundamental divide that they can’t solve, and that’s between progressive Democrats and everybody else.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is facing backlash after failing to reopen the government on the condition that premium Obamacare subsidies be extended past their Dec. 31 deadline. As a result, several Democrats are calling for his ousting.
“You can see the divide the most in the pre-shutdown Democratic world,” York said. “There’s a lot of talk about the [removal of] the Democratic leader in the Senate, Sen. Schumer. There are Democrats coming out and openly suggesting other alternatives like Sen. Chris Murphy or maybe Sen. Cory Booker, but they’re openly talking about dumping the minority leader in the Senate.”
“And a healthy, happy party does not do that,” he added.
WHY DID DEMOCRATS FIGHT SO LONG — BEFORE CAVING?
Eight Democratic senators sided with Republicans on an agreement to fund the government and end the shutdown 42 days after it started. The last continuing resolution for which Democrats voted in favor was in March, when Schumer voted to keep the government open. This newest continuing resolution has a deadline of Jan. 31.
Schumer has led Democrats in the Senate since 2016. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has defended Schumer and continued to support him as a leader.
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