Senators forge ahead with swanky fundraisers despite shutdown
The article discusses how members of the U.S. Senate are continuing with high-profile campaign fundraisers despite an ongoing government shutdown. Senate Republicans held a weekend fundraiser at the luxury Sea Island Resort in Georgia, while Senate Democrats have not canceled their planned fundraiser in Napa Valley, California.The shutdown has furloughed approximately 750,000 federal workers, with essential employees working without pay.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), indicated that the Napa event was still scheduled but could be reconsidered if the shutdown persists. Though, Senator Angela Alsobrooks, listed as a host of the event, denied her involvement, stating no plans to be in Napa during the shutdown. Other Democratic senators involved have either declined to comment or acknowledged the event without confirming participation.
The Republican fundraising event was justified as necessary by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the shutdown due to his opposition to what Republicans call a “clean” government funding bill. The NRSC emphasized the importance of protecting and growing the Republican Senate majority. Republicans also accused Democrats of using the shutdown to push healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants, a claim that is complex and contested.
the article highlights the contrast between lawmakers’ political fundraising activities and the financial hardships faced by furloughed federal workers amid the government shutdown.
Campaigns forge ahead with swanky fundraisers despite government shutdown
Members of Congress aren’t letting the government shutdown get in the way of schmoozing with donors at an oceanside resort and in wine country, despite the unflattering optics.
Senate Republicans’ campaign arm has a weekend fundraiser at the five-star Sea Island Resort in Georgia, while Senate Democrats’ campaign arm has yet to cancel an upcoming fundraiser of their own in Napa Valley, California.
The GOP-led chamber departed Friday for the weekend after senators rejected dueling proposals to reopen the government for the fourth time, all but ensuring the shutdown will extend into a second week. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is using the shutdown to further reshape the federal workforce with mass layoffs and canceling funding for blue-state projects.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, told the Washington Examiner Friday that the campaign arm’s Napa event scheduled for Oct. 13-14 was still planned but suggested that could change if the shutdown drags on.
“Right now, we’re focused on getting healthcare restored to millions of people, and I’ll make a decision on that later,” Gillibrand said, referencing demands from Democrats to extend expiring COVID-era Obamacare subsidies in order to reopen the government.
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), who’s listed on the event invite as a host, denied she was a host and said she would not participate. The invite lays out a two-day “Napa Retreat” with “Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, DSCC Chair, Senator Angela Alsobrooks, and Members of the Democratic Caucus” at Hotel Yountville that includes a wine tour and dinner.
“I’m not hosting anything,” Alsobrooks told the Washington Examiner. “When we have a shutdown, we’re not going to be in Napa Valley.”
Other top senators, including DSCC Vice Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and leadership member Chris Murphy (D-CT), did not comment. Murphy said he was aware of the retreat, and Schiff declined to discuss it, leaving a closed-door caucus meeting about the shutdown.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) also has yet to cancel a planned fundraiser for next weekend at the Ritz-Carlton in Puerto Rico, according to Axios.
The shutdown means an estimated 750,000 federal workers are furloughed, and essential workers and military members are working without paychecks.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee couched its Sea Island fundraiser as all the more necessary amid a shutdown the party blames on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for using filibuster leverage to block a “clean” government funding measure.
“Schumer continuing to shut down the government because he wants to give free healthcare to illegals only further underscores how essential it is Republicans protect and grow President Trump’s Senate majority next year,” NRSC spokeswoman Joanna Rodriguez said in a statement.
SHUTDOWN SENDS CAMPAIGNS INTO OVERDRIVE TO SEIZE ON GOVERNMENT CHAOS
Republicans have leaned heavily on the complicated claim that Democrats are seeking healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants as part of the shutdown feud.
The organization informed NRSC fundraiser attendees via email this week that the event was “reserved and contracted years in advance, beyond even our current term at the NRSC, and both our costs and attendees’ rooms are non-refundable,” according to a source familiar.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
