Journalists who have reached out to the U.S. Department of State after the government shutdown on October 1 are met with an automated reply attributing response delays to congressional Democrats, citing their refusal to pass a straightforward funding resolution.
Now, media correspondents receive this message from the State Department: “Thank you for your inquiry. Please note that responses may be delayed due to the government shutdown caused by congressional Democrats.”
Tommy Pigott, the department’s principal deputy spokesperson, reinforced the point that Democrats are responsible for the shutdown during a statement made on Tuesday evening to – News.
“It’s not partisan to state the obvious: Democrats are to blame for the looming shutdown,” the spokesperson said.
Congressional Republicans have consistently argued that Democrats are accountable for the shutdown, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) highlighting perceived hypocrisy by referencing their own statements:
Roughly a year ago, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed concern over how a government shutdown would affect ordinary Americans.
“If the government shuts down, it will be average Americans who suffer most. A government shutdown means seniors who rely on Social Security could be thrown into chaos,” he remarked in a September 2024 speech criticizing “hard-right Republicans” and “MAGA radicals.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries shared similar opinions in December 2024, arguing that families and farmers “will be hurt” if the government shut down.
Schumer and Jeffries have since changed their tune, leading Democrats in blocking the Republicans from passing their version of a continuing resolution (CR). Instead, Democrats proposed their own funding bill demanding an additional $1.4 trillion for far-left projects including free health care for illegal aliens and funding for NPR and PBS, – News reported.
If a CR is not passed by midnight on Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning marks the beginning of the government shutdown.
According to Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Schumer forced the shutdown “because he’s terrified of a primary from AOC.”
“His actions are disgraceful,” the Senate Intelligence Committee chair added in a Monday statement to – News.
