White House Threatens Shutdown to Dismantle Regulatory State: Democrats Skeptical of Tactic

Democrats' Shutdown Strategy Hinges on a Risky Bet The White House has threatened to use a government shutdown as leverage to gut the regulatory state, but Democrats are skeptical of this tactic. According to sources, White House budget director Russell Vought instructed federal agencies last week to consider mass firings in the event of a shutdown. However, Vought specified that such downsizing should be confined to departments that Democrats consider essential, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed skepticism about the White House's intentions. "We're not buying it," he said in a statement. "The president is trying to use a shutdown to advance his ideological agenda, but we won't let him get away with it." Schumer's comments reflect concerns among Democrats that the White House is bluffing and will ultimately back down from its threat. Background on the issue shows that the White House has been seeking to weaken federal agencies for months. In July, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. The move was seen as a step towards dismantling the regulatory state. However, Democrats argue that gutting these agencies would have far-reaching consequences for public health and safety. "This is not just about politics; it's about people's lives," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). "We can't let the White House use a shutdown to undermine our efforts to protect the environment, consumers, and workers." The current status of negotiations remains uncertain. With only days left before the October 1 deadline, lawmakers are scrambling to reach an agreement on a bill to prevent federal funding from lapsing. As the clock ticks down, Democrats are preparing for all eventualities. "We're ready for a shutdown," said Schumer. "But we hope it doesn't come to that." The White House has not commented publicly on its plans in case of a shutdown. However, sources close to the administration say they are confident that their strategy will pay off. "It's a high-stakes game, but we believe our approach is the right one," said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The outcome remains uncertain as lawmakers and the White House engage in a high-stakes battle over funding. One thing is clear: Democrats' shutdown strategy hinges on a risky bet that may not pay off. *Reporting by Vox.*