Editorial: Political turkeys in DC don’t deserve to be pardoned
In a familiar Thanksgiving ritual, President Donald Trump spared the lives of two North Carolina turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, from being served up for the holiday feast. However, as the spirit of gratitude filled the air, a more serious issue loomed over Capitol Hill: the recent government shutdown that threatened food assistance for millions of families relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While lawmakers debated funding and priorities, many families faced the grim reality of potential delays in their food benefits. Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark infamously remarked that, although families would suffer, the shutdown presented a rare opportunity for leverage in negotiations. This sentiment echoed throughout Washington, highlighting a troubling trend where political maneuvering takes precedence over the immediate needs of constituents.
The government shutdown not only endangered food security for vulnerable families but also exposed the disconnect between lawmakers and the everyday struggles of their constituents. Both parties, Democrat and Republican, contributed to the impasse, allowing partisan politics to overshadow their responsibility to keep the government functioning. As families braced for the worst, speculation arose that the shutdown could extend past Thanksgiving, leading to fears that while politicians feasted, many Americans would go hungry. Some lawmakers, like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, attempted to address the crisis by proposing legislation to ensure military service members received their pay during the shutdown. However, the spotlight remained on the partisan squabbling that characterized the negotiations, leaving many to question the sincerity and effectiveness of their leaders.
As Congress now turns its attention to extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, the recent shutdown serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of political brinkmanship. The failure to resolve the funding crisis effectively demonstrates the need for a reevaluation of how negotiations are conducted in Washington. For voters, the shutdown should act as a wake-up call to hold their representatives accountable, ensuring that those who prioritize political gain over the welfare of their constituents are voted out of office. Ultimately, the Thanksgiving tradition of pardoning turkeys should extend beyond the barnyard to include the political “turkeys” who repeatedly fail to serve the best interests of the American people.
President Donald Trump continued a Thanksgiving tradition Tuesday, pardoning North Carolina turkeys Gobble and Waddle from a roasted fate.
But there are other turkeys on Capitol Hill who do not deserve to be let off the hook, not by the president, and not by taxpayers.
Chief among them are the Democratic lawmakers who dragged their heels on ending the recent government shutdown as food benefits for millions of SNAP recipients hung in the balance.
As families in need panicked ahead of a food assistance delay or cutoff, Mass. Congresswoman Katherine Clark said “of course there will be families that are going to suffer, but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”
Clark may have said it, but she wasn’t the only DC lawmaker in line with that way of thinking.
Some in Washington even speculated that the shutdown would extend past Thanksgiving, which is something to keep in mind as you slice into that turkey tomorrow. If those lawmakers had been right, those keen to use looming hunger as “leverage” would be tucking into a feast as constituents went hungry.
But the Democrats are far from alone in turkey-town. Both sides of the aisle failed in their sworn duty to keep the country running and the government functioning. Our history of shutdowns and their impact should have informed our representatives of what the worst-case scenario looked like, yet they let a spending bill showdown turn into another nightmare.
The Beltway is our nation’s turkey pen, and the leaders who work and reside within are far too removed from the lives of their constituents. They return to their home districts and states during campaign season, certainly, but life inside the bubble is the comfort zone of choice.
They are insulated from struggle, and the government shutdown which sent families reeling from missed paychecks and lack of benefits didn’t affect them the same way, if all all. It was partisan politics, bickering and finger-pointing as usual.
There are some exceptions, those who called out the looming SNAP disaster, missed paychecks and shuttered services as the fiascos they were.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, for example, proffered legislation to pay more than 1 million military service members during the government shutdown.
But the turkeys of partisan party politics had the main character energy.
The focus is now on the extension of ACA tax credits, the point of contention between Democrats and Republicans who fought over kicking the can down the road as the program is set to expire next month. Trump has talked of a plan to address health care costs, which are astronomical even for those with insurance through their employers.
The cost of health care is likely Washington’s next big fight, and the way Congress acquitted itself so poorly during the shutdown does not bode well for Americans looking for real relief.
DC pols should use the shutdown as a teachable moment in how not to handle negotiations. Voters should use the shutdown as a teachable moment in which turkeys need to be voted out.
Editorial cartoon by Chip Bok (Creators Syndicate)
