Staff Reports
A midnight deadline looms over Congress, but what else is new? The House Republicans took the bull by the horns and managed to pass a continuing resolution designed to maintain funding at last year’s levels. Perhaps this is too logical for the Senate Democrats, who appear fully prepared to toss the country into the swirling abyss of a government shutdown. After the House’s heroic effort, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wasted no time making it clear that the Democrats would be doing their part to ensure chaos reigns supreme. With weak arguments and even weaker resolve, he proclaimed that Republicans wouldn’t secure the necessary 60 votes in the Senate. Clearly, Schumer is sticking to the age-old adage: if you can’t convince them, confuse them.
Representing the Keystone State, Senator John Fetterman has become somewhat of an unexpected character in this drama. He seems less than enthused about Schumer’s inclination to throw a wrench in the gears of government functions. Fetterman is adamantly against stepping into the murky waters of a shutdown, regardless of which party holds the keys to the kingdom. His preference seems to be creating a temporary fix without the theatrics, instead of allowing a total meltdown that could send the economy spiraling.
John Fetterman Doesn't Dig the Schumer Shutdown https://t.co/VVqdrPcXD7
— Observing Time (@TimeObserving) March 13, 2025
Fetterman’s approach reflects an understanding that shutting down the government might just win a political point or two for the Democrats, but at what cost? Chaos, recession, and a wave of frustrated constituents are not likely to boost their approval ratings anytime soon. Instead of a grand political showdown, Fetterman subtly suggests finding a middle ground to keep the wheels of government turning, which is an interesting notion for someone in his position. Yet, here we are, watching as Democrats prepare to gamble on the well-being of the nation as if it were a game night at the local bar.
Amid this turmoil, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent decided to join the fray, sounding the alarm on the economic ramifications of a potential shutdown. Bessent, with an implicit understanding of the financial fallout that a government closure could entail, pointed out how it would not be great for the economy. It seems he has no qualms about laying the blame squarely at the feet of the Democrats, implying that they are primed to be the scapegoats should disaster strike.
As the clock ticks down towards the cutoff, the spectacle unfolds. Will the Senate come to its senses, or will they dive headfirst into this game of fiscal chicken? One can only hope that enough rational thought will prevail among the decision-makers in Washington. Meanwhile, it appears the Democrats are too busy fine-tuning their shutdown strategy and counting how many volunteers they can round up for their blame game, rather than contributing to effective governance for the American people. The price of this political theatre may end up being too high for their own good.
