Congress

Sanders, Balint Welch blame GOP for government shutdown

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Senator Bernie Sanders, (I. VT) “Republicans need to negotiate…that is how democracy works.”

By Paul Bean

All three members of Vermont’s congressional delegation blame Republicans for the ongoing Federal government shutdown, citing cuts in subsidized healthcare coverage and other government programs they say Americans depend on. 

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve the necessary appropriations bills that fund federal agencies and programs. These bills are intended to provide funding through the end of the fiscal year, which concluded on September 30. Without them, Congress must enact a temporary measure called a ‘continuing resolution’ (CR) to maintain funding at the existing level. Without an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government experiences a shutdown due to insufficient funding.

The political standoff was triggered by a failure to pass a continuing resolution by midnight on September 30 (which needs 60% of the vote), and has already furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal workers nationwide and disrupted services from national parks to veterans’ benefits.

“As Americans know, Republicans hold the majority of the House and the Senate and they control the White House,” said Senator Bernie Sanders in a video posted to X prior to the shutdown. “In other words, they run the US Government. They have the responsibility to keep the Government open.”

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I), Peter Welch (D), and Rep. Becca Balint (D.) all opposed the continuing resolution, arguing the shutdown is necessary to protect Vermonters and millions of Americans from what they describe as devastating Republican policy priorities. 

Estimates from the Congressional Budget Office project that GOP-backed legislation could strip coverage from up to 15 million people over the next decade while driving up premiums by as much as 75%.

“Here’s some of what it will take to win my vote in those negotiations, said Sanders in his 8 min video posted to X September 30th…“Republicans can not take away health from 15 million people, by making the largest cut to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act,” said Sanders.

Sen. Sanders pushed Senate colleagues in a livestream broadcast Monday evening against what he called an “assault on working families.” “We can’t allow Republicans to throw 15 million off health care and raise premiums by 75%,”  Sanders said during the broadcast, which featured Sens. Ed Markey (D. Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D. Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D. Mass) and others. 

“At a time of such massive and growing inequality, it is insane, in my view, to be giving a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the top 1%,” Sanders added. “If President Trump and Republicans want my vote, they will have to rescind that tax break for their oligarchic friends.”

Wednesday afternoon on the Senate floor, Sen. Peter Welch said in reference to the healthcare coverage cuts,  “There is in this country an affordability crisis. People can’t afford homes, and they definitely cannot afford health care. And folks are terrified at the likelihood of a person they love in their family getting sick if they don’t have insurance.” 

“And what is about to happen, if we don’t act before this shutdown, is that folks, who are getting their health care on the Affordable Care Act, who are paying a significant portion of their income for that healthcare, but can only afford it because of the subsidies, not because they want to have subsidies, is so expensive,” Welch continued. “Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, in your state and mine their health care. is a reason we cannot condone a resolution that does not protect people’s health care.”

Rep. Balint, Vermont’s sole House representative, echoed her Senate colleagues in a statement blasting the GOP at a press conference earlier this week. 

“Today, we are here to say to all of those Americans who are afraid, we are standing with you, we are here to do the job, and I need you to pay attention to who’s not here. Who’s not here? It’s their shutdown. Republicans created this mess, a crisis that deeply impacts rural Americans, people of color, and the LGBT community,” said Balint. “It will close rural hospitals, not just in my state of Vermont, but in every rural district. And the Republicans who represent those rural districts, they know that, which is why Lisa McClain, in the Republican conference yesterday, told her members, ‘Stop talking about healthcare. When you talk about healthcare as a Republican, you are losing.’ Think about that.’”

Nationally, the Democrats’ insist on extending Obamacare subsidies in any funding bill, a demand Republicans have rejected until after reopening the government. 

President Trump met with congressional leaders Monday in an effort to strike a deal for compromise, but Vice President JD Vance later told reporters “We’re headed to a shutdown.” 

“Senate Democrats are about to block a clean, routine government funding bill because it doesn’t give free healthcare to illegals,” wrote Stephen Miller, President Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff, on X Tuesday evening.

“Democrats are prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens. They are America Last radicals,” wrote President Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Levit on X in response to Miller’s remark.

“This is a lie,” wrote NY Senator Chuck Schumer in response. “Not a single federal dollar goes to providing health insurance for undocumented immigrants. NOT. ONE. PENNY. Republicans would rather lie and shut down the government down than protect your health care.”

This remark eventually drew a response from Vice President JD Vance explaining the administration’s take:

“This is important–money is fungible–and it’s why the Democrat and media lie that health care is not going to illegals is so preposterous,” wrote VP Vance.  “Consider, for instance, two state Medicaid programs–Ohio and New York. New York gives Medicaid to illegals and Ohio doesn’t.  When the government gives billions of dollars to New York for Medicaid, that frees up state money in New York that can then be spent on illegals. It’s like if you give a mobster $100 but he PROMISES you he won’t spend the money to buy a gun and commit a crime. Well, he takes the $100 you gave him and buys food, and then takes the money he would have spent on food and uses that money to buy the gun instead. This is what ‘money is fungible’ means. 

“Additionally, because medical services are limited in supply, when an illegal accesses health. care, it drives up the cost for everyone. So New Yorkers are paying a higher price for medical services, and the federal government is subsidizing those higher prices. So everyone in the media, from George Stephanopoulos to Jake Tapper, repeating these Democrat talking points, is engaged in the Democrat propaganda war. Democrats shut down the government to give health care money to illegal aliens. It’s really that simple.”

Yesterday evening, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce sent out a notice informing members of the federal Government shutdown with a list of potential impacts:

“Potential Business Impacts

  • Workforce & Payroll: Delays in federal employee wages or contractor payments may ripple through Vermont households and businesses.
  • Permitting & Contracts: Federal agency approvals, licensing, and contract work may be delayed.
  • Tourism & Transportation: National parks, airports, and customs operations could see disruptions, affecting travel and visitor activity in Vermont.
  • Small Business & Lending Programs: SBA loans, federal grants, and other programs may be paused.
  • Community & Social Supports: Nutrition, housing, and healthcare programs could face interruptions.”

Governor Scott responded to the situation on Monday, writing in a public statement, “Every state in our union manages to build and pass a balanced budget. The United States Congress can do the same, if they choose to rise above the partisan battles to prioritize this core constitutional duty. At this moment, Americans across the political spectrum are watching. Most do not demand partisan perfection. Instead, they seek stability, integrity, and authentic American leadership and our country is in desperate need of the type of leadership this moment requires.”

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Categories: Congress, National News

51 replies »

  1. Of course they do! Covering for the demands that one hundred percent of their policies be funded including those involving people that entered this Country illegally and rollbacks of funding cuts already approved by Congress. More lies by these self proclaimed ‘rulers’ who are actually our ‘representatives’

  2. Balint should be removed from office, she claims we are a democracy and not a republic, she is too ignorant to represent Vermont and a traitor. She was bought by one person for a million dollars to do the bidding of the New World Order.

    Sanders is even a worse, he was bought out by Hillary Clinton, he will do and say anything to remain in power, run his mouth and suck of the taxpayer teat.

    We need better headlines, please. We can’t let them spew lies without rebuttal.

    • Neil wouldn’t be surprised that in her mind she is positioning herself to be Bernie’s replacement in the Senate

  3. No paychecks for the three Vermont clowns in Washington during shut down and no back pay if it reopens. Comment from Richard Day.

    • According to AI Overview,
      “Yes, members of Congress continue to receive their salaries during a government shutdown. This is because their pay is constitutionally protected and is funded through a mandatory, permanent appropriation, rather than through annual spending bills.”
      This is why it does not seem to bother them as much as you would think it should. They’ve protected their own bottom line.

  4. Oh for crying out loud, not the three amigos again. What were their ideas to pass a budget, trying to spend America out of debt?

    • These three morons took an oath to Protect and Defend the Constitution of the United States and don’t even know or say what form of Government we have!

  6. Headline fixed:

    Sanders, Balint Welch blame Climate Change for government shutdown

  7. Well, at least Argentina got a multi-billion dollar bail out before the government shut down. There’s a win for America!!! Now the soybean farmers around our country have to wait for theirs. That’s what they get for not supporting trump!

  8. Ms. Balint, here we go again, politicians pointing their fingers at the opposing party blaming them for the country’s woes. Seems to me, it’s a collective. You all played a part in the debacle of government functioning. Seems teamwork would be appropriate. So rather than the shout down theatrics, at least in front of the cameras, why not give the House Speaker and the President a friendly call and ask, “what can we do for the country”? I realize it may be tough on the egos. Perhaps invite your Vermont partners to do the same, you know, if you actually work together.

    • Brian, you pose some interesting questions.
      First… “politicians pointing their fingers at the opposing party blaming them for the country’s woes.” Are you suggesting only democrats do this? Or has the POTUS done this as well?
      Second… “Seems teamwork would be appropriate.” Did you mention that to trump? His unilateral tariff project seems to have hit american farmers, loggers, and the tourist industry pretty hard.
      Third… “what can we do for the country”?…. As a republican, I’m ashamed to say our party, under trump, has put more 24k gold in the white house than he has helped the sick. I suppose you think gold is better than the health of the nation. I, on the other hand, think it is better to help citizens than to adorn the white house in gold. But heck, I’m just a poor woodworker looking forward to my next project.

  9. As long as this shutdown cuts my tax money from going to illegals benefits who should not be here, I say game on!! Prove me wrong!

    • Good point, Josh. Illegals are horrible. I bet the food you eat was completely planted, grown, and harvested by naturally born and raised americans. Shame on them for wanting a job picking our food!

    • Nick, we’re in this mess because politicians for decades have in fact pointed fingers at the other party while passing legislation for their favorite pet projects and donors. Neither party is innocent.
      Thus far the Trump tariffs have brought nearly $215 Billion. Those resources will surely benefit the country, and in the long run the farmers, loggers, and tourist industries. During his first term the POTUS did much good for the farmers. I’ll let you do the research on that.
      Our party is just as guilty of the finger pointing, and locally the VTGOP chair would rather do talking points with the press rather than build a secure platform for the GOP by ensuring workable mechanisms are in place to ensure we have a Republican Caucus in every Vermont town and city. The process seems non-inclusive and definitely not grassroots We the People. However, no worries they’ll use their donations for a pat myself on the back congratulatory year end bash at whatever high priced venue as the party languishes in the state.
      Granted, the gold trimmings in the White House may be a little heavy. No ones perfect. Surely POTUS can do better there. Orange man bad. On the other hand insurance companies, medical providers, medical device providers, insurance and medical executives can do better for their clientele rather than cutting corners, cutting needed services for the needy, and extreme top heavy bonus greed. no one is worth the bonuses being passed out while cutting services and trimming satellite facilities.

  10. “Sanders, Balint Welch blame GOP for government shutdown”
    But of course they blame Republicans. You really would not expect them to admit that they are to blame for the situations that arise because of “deep state” policies that are coming home to roost….do you ?

    • We could totally get rid of the “deep state” if we let trump run the country, right? Perhaps we should have a dictator (we can call him a president) that makes all the decisions. Come on Patrick, you know you want a the United States of Trump! We can call it United Under Trump! Instead of USA, call it UUT!!! Yeah! Anyone who opposes trump deserves the full might of the military!! Honestly, it’s sooo hilarious to read your comment considering the trump has control of the senate and the house of reps. Blame the dems, after all they are not in charge!

    • Nick, be advised you are starting to ramble. So you were OK with the Union of Soviet Style State under Biden or Autopen with Garland and Wray doing as they wished twisting laws with the assistance of Blue State AG’s to fit their political agendas? The Obama and Biden police state? The administrative group functioning as they wish as a fourth branch of Government with the attitude as put by one employee union boss “Presidents come and go, but Government employees are here forever to do what is needed”?

    • Ron, can you please point me to a comment where I said I was “OK with Biden”? I would like to know so I can correct the error. Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to be able to do so. Care to comment on what I did say? About Trump? Or is that a contagion you avoid?

  12. The farmers did support Trump, but the problems now are the tariffs on China and the soy bean contracts with China ended and China is buying soybeans from other counties. Comment from Richard Day.

    • Richard, the problems are not the tariffs. The problems are trump. Full stop. If no trump, no tariff… yes soybean farmers selling crops.

    • Nick, False, we in US have had various and rotating Tarriffs since 1790’s on imported goods

  13. The DemocRats play semantic, legalistic word games. They claim no illegal aliens are getting government health care through Medicaid, etc. But they don’t consider the millions of migrants that make asylum claims to be illegal while they are here awaiting their court appearance. The DemocRat party is little more than a un-American, Marxist organization only interested in power.

    • Democrats are playing word games and semantics, there are no Federal Medicaid payments going from Congress to Illegals, the money is allocated by Congress and given to the States and blue States give it to the illegals, also Democrats and using different names for people that came into this Country unlawfully such as Parolees for those awaiting deportation hearings between now and 2035 but they still came crossed the border illegally, it is how the Dems can say they are truthful, a matter of designated titles.

    • Paul, one thing is abundantly clear: Trump has no interest in power. Unlike the democrats, he is most interested in getting approval from congress about things like tariffs. And as far as what to do about giving 20 billion to Argentina… that was totally a democrat objective. Trump didn’t want to give tax payer money to argentina, but the dems forced it upon them. Do you agree? Or do you have no comment?

  14. Nick, you say your Republican, but you sound confused. At what point would you be happy? If we go back to before when we as Republicans said nothing, changed nothing, and complained? Or now changes are happening and you complain anyways. They shutdown because the Republicas won’t let them roll over them anymore, good. I dont want our taxes being spent on illegals. Why’s Healthcare so expensive? When it’s Free and someone else is paying for it, they charge more. Where’s that come from, you and I. They aren’t going to work together, dont you get that yet? The other side hates America, hates Trump, hates Conservatives, heck, they just killed one. Remove the wax from your eyes and come into the light.

    • Josh, Trump is not republican. He is something different. He wants to run the country by himself. There are words for that.
      “They”, as you suggest, didn’t kill charlie kirk. A horrible human did.
      You say you don’t want taxes being spent on illegals, but who pays when we put them in detention centers? Who is paying for illegals to be in prison? I would offer that if “illegals” were still working in our country they would pay income and sales taxes instead of not working and the government paying for them to be incarcerated.
      I would be happy if the republican party returned to “states rights” instead of “Trump is right about everything.” The republican party you are suggesting is best is one where the federal government has increased control. Is that what you want? Honestly, should states bend the knee to the feds?
      I will be happy when the republican party says, “No. Trump isn’t right about everything.”

  15. Wow Nick that last comment sounds like you borrowed it from Becca Balints play book. If we dont have the illegals how will the state function? Do you know how racist that comment is? Immigration is legal, coming over the border, using our services, taking benefits not meant for you, is legal. Sorry if you don’t like that, but the truth can be hard to swallow.

  16. The government isn’t going to reopen but not for the reasons that you think. There was a special election in Arizona that was won by a Democrat and when she is sworn in will be the 218th vote needed to force a vote in the House on the release of the Epstein files, putting everybody on the record before the mid-terms, something Trump and Mike Johnson are petrified of, but probably the biggest issue that people on both sides want to see happen. Everything going on right now is designed to try to make us forget Trump’s biggest campaign promise.

    https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5529055-republicans-grijalva-swearing-in-house/

  17. In case anyone is interested, Becca is going live on Instagram tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 3rd) at 3:30 PM to discuss “all things shutdown” along with Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, New Mexico. Might be fun… LMAO

  18. Who is eager80????? Inquiring minds would like to know if this is a senior dating site.

  19. Bernie can try to blame the GOP all he wants, but this was a DemocRAT shutdown and Bernie cannot put lipstick on this pig.

  20. Nick, okay, your comment was racist for the fact you were implying Americans couldn’t possibly be the ones picking my food. They could be, if our local government forced lazy welfare recipients to do so. Oh yeah, I believe big scary, King Trump is implementing this as we speak. Making it harder for the lazy to get free handouts, it’s about time. It also implies you see illegals as so lowly, they only serve one purpose, to do our dirty work. They are in fact human beings, but, they broke the law. Which means they go home, and come back the right way, as so many have done before them. Which means, it is also not fair to the ones who did it the right way. Which also means, illegals are taking benefits away from legal migrants.
    Illegals do not pay income tax, they are paid cash. 80 percent is sent back to their families, and we get 6 percent sales tax, from their beer being bought. Man, what a great help to the economy.
    We should not being incarcerating any of the illegals. Wasted time and money, free pass in, free pass out. Return to sender.
    The official report is, yes a horrible human being killed Charlie Kirk. Although, he was affiliated with a certain group of people, not Republican, not conservative, not Christian, so, yes, the other side. We dont respond with violence, one side does. The evil side, the side Satan controls, Division, destruction, and death.
    And as for Trump, I do not agree with everything he does or says. But, all of the things he’s doing, I voted for, and will back him. America first, American citizens first, making other countries pay their fair share, or, move business to the US, by which tariffs won’t be charged. Then, bartering huge trade deals, give it some time. Trump has been in office less than a year, and you expect a miracle, while the democrats, and some Republicans are standing in the way of change and progress. He’s not Jesus Christ, he is an appointed leader, for a given purpose, God’s will be done. Good or bad.
    If our local government is going to run the way they have been, then yes, I think the federal government should step in and direct a bit. Do parents let their children do whatever they want? No, corrections are needed, curbs are set, ground rules to follow, etc. Things can’t continue the same old way, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. I dont want more government, but I do want something different than I’ve experienced so far in my lifetime.
    Trump is not a politician, he’s a business man. Running under the Republican party, as a former Democrat. So yes, something different.

    • Thank you for the reply Josh. A lot to digest, but I know better where you are. I disagree with much of what you said, but primarily the notion that trump was elected therefore whatever he wants should go through. We the people also elected a congress and senate, to which trump avoids at all cost.
      And I’m not racist and I don’t think you are either…. but I’m still going to raise hell on this forum as the republican party slides away from conservative values to “whatever trump wants.”

    • @Josh, I’m afraid some of your comments are very concerning. “if our local government forced lazy welfare recipients to do so.” I don’t think it is the government’s job to force anyone to do anything. Isn’t that exactly what the “Left” is doing, forcing people to do things even though the evidence does not support their claim? Now, the problem comes when the government does not *allow* welfare recipients to perform jobs they may enjoy without driving them further down into poverty.

      Another problem comes when there are bureaucrats overseeing said social welfare recipients, making a kings ransom. What would happen if their “case load” suddenly disappeared?

      @Nick, I’m afraid I really enjoy your comments and rebuttal. Unfortunately, it seems you need to disconnect from VPR/NPR news sources. Trump would not have the huge support he has if he wasn’t listening to what real people are saying. As a humble 1 cent supporter, even some of my comments have made it into his agenda. In my opinion, he appears to be following the constitution, as written, perfectly. Like Josh said, I don’t agree with everything he is doing, but I also do not believe there is any risk he will overstep our Constitution (dictator, ha!). I have good reason to believe it is Congress who has overstepped the constitution by creating extra branches of the government that are not under the control of the executive branch, or any elected official: like USAID, too many of the federal agencies created by congress are unaccountable and appear to be working against the American people. Trump, on OUR REQUEST, is pushing back against these rouge agencies.

      We have much to discuss.

  21. Re: “Republicans need to negotiate…that is how democracy works.”

    Oh? But democrats don’t need to negotiate? How does that work?

    The democrats are demanding the repeal of the provisions previously passed in Public Law 119–21 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) that define ‘Alien Status Ineligibility.’ — No credit shall be allowed for any month in which the individual is ineligible for Medicaid solely due to alien status under section 1903(v) of the Social Security Act.”.

    Specifically, Public Law 119–21 states: “(3) Eligibility Verification.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall verify income, citizenship, and immigration status prior to advance payment of the credit.”

    Repealing this provision of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will allow undocumented immigrants and other ineligible people to again receive Medicaid (i.e., healthcare) benefits because verification of eligibility will no longer be required.

    It’s the same methodology used to allow voter fraud. Neither voter fraud nor Medicaid fraud can be proven when the system doesn’t allow eligibility verification.

    Whether or not readers agree with these provisions, or the extent of their financial effect on the budget, is one thing. But the fact remains, it is the democrats who are making the partisan demand to change existing law or cause the shutdown of the government, not the republicans.

    This isn’t a negotiation, Mr. Sanders, it’s blackmail. It’s an example of the classic false dichotomy made famous by Butch Cassidy: ‘If they would just pay me what they’re spending to stop me from robbing them, I’d stop robbing them.’

    • Jay, the Democrats are negotiating in the way they always do, Have a temper tantrum and use propaganda until they get their way, never giving a inch

  22. As usual, these 3 pathetic representatives from Vermont’s congressional delegation continue to gaslight Vermonter’s. Unfortunately, many identify with the same “cult” as these 3 representatives and fall for their lies. What they seem to have trouble comprehending is that what these Progressives are “fighting” for is the end of the most expensive health care discount in history – a COVID subsidy gimmick. Its expiration exposes Obamacare for what it is: A massive financial abomination and only Democrats/Progressives voted for it. These people are the worst.

  23. It’s been said that it is a GOP shutdown because they have the majority. GOP may have the majority but not the control, majority can’t have control when changes require 16% of the opposition Party that is highly funded, some with foreign money and moves as a jackbooted lock step gang! So there needs to be work arounds to put political pressure on the opposition but half of the Country isn’t aware due to Dem propaganda media. See Sen Fetterman’s comments.

  24. There is no business like show business! I commend them for their thespian prowess and astuteness to follow the script as it flips from side to side, across the aisle and back again. It takes incredible focus (and big money) to remember your lines, switch up the roles you are playing this season, and to ensure the audience is completely engrossed and convinced the Kabuki Theater is real and in their best interests. Well done actors and actresses – bravo!

  25. Sam, my intention for Comments were not towards individuals who need welfare and are using it for the right reasons. I’m talking about the generations who stay on welfare as a lifestyle, and could work but chose not to. The bible says, if you don’t work, you don’t eat. We need to provide ways for individuals to get off the system, and live a life free from government bandage. I dont like providing for my own family, and then raising someone else’s with my taxes, neither should you.

  26. So the three stooges are riding their blame game agenda again. They are a disgrace. Their lying has become a daily function in trying to save their butts. Can’t wait to see them go down.