The End to the Government Shutdown
In a recent episode of *Washington Week With The Atlantic*, the panel delved into the implications of the government reopening after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The discussion centered around how a group of moderate lawmakers managed to broker a deal with Senate Republicans, which ultimately ended the impasse. This resolution has sparked considerable frustration among Democratic lawmakers, who had hoped that the shutdown would leverage their position against Republicans, pushing them into a corner. Chief White House correspondent at CBS News, Nancy Cordes, highlighted the discontent among Senate Democrats, noting that many believed the shutdown would create a more advantageous situation for their party. However, the decision of eight Senate Democrats to break ranks and support the deal has left many questioning the effectiveness of their strategy.
The panel, which included journalists from major outlets like *The Wall Street Journal*, *Punchbowl News*, and *Reuters*, explored the consequences of this political maneuvering. Cordes pointed out that while the shutdown was causing significant disruptions—such as flight delays and food assistance cuts for SNAP beneficiaries—these Democratic lawmakers felt they were inching closer to a pivotal moment that could shift the balance of power. The frustration is palpable, as many Democrats feel that they missed an opportunity to exert pressure on Republicans. The discussion underscores a broader concern within the party regarding strategy and unity, especially as they navigate the complex landscape of American politics leading into future elections.
The episode sheds light on the ongoing tension within the Democratic Party and raises questions about their approach moving forward. With the reopening of the government, the panelists examined what this means for the Democratic Party’s prospects and strategies in the coming months. The discussion is particularly relevant as the political climate continues to shift, and lawmakers must grapple with the outcomes of their decisions during this turbulent period. For those interested in a deeper analysis of these developments, the full episode of *Washington Week With The Atlantic* is available for viewing and listening, offering insights from seasoned political correspondents.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kTcXsExfeU
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This week the government reopened after the longest closure in the nation’s history. Panelists on
Washington Week With The Atlantic
joined to discuss how moderate lawmakers brokered a deal with Senate Republicans—and what it may mean for the Democratic Party going forward.
There is a lot of frustration among Democratic lawmakers following the end of the shutdown, which is now spilling out into public view, Nancy Cordes, the chief White House correspondent at CBS News, said last night. “There are Senate Democrats who feel that the whole point of this risky enterprise in the first place, triggering a shutdown, was because eventually, over time, they felt that they would gain enough leverage over Republicans.”
Although “the pain was mounting; yes, flight delays were mounting; yes, SNAP beneficiaries were starting to lose very crucial food assistance,” Cordes noted, “they felt that they were getting closer to putting Republicans in a very uncomfortable situation.” She added: “We’ll never know if they were right or not, because these eight Senate Democrats said that they weren’t willing to find out.”
Joining the guest moderator and a staff writer at
The Atlantic
, Vivian Salama, to discuss this and more: Natalie Andrews, a White House correspondent at
The Wall Street Journal
; Cordes, the chief White House correspondent at CBS News; Andrew Desiderio, a senior congressional reporter for
Punchbowl News
; Jeff Mason, a White House correspondent at Reuters.
Watch the full episode
here
.
