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 strategy, calling it a "risky bet" that could backfire.
According to sources, White House budget director Russell Vought instructed federal agencies last week to consider mass firings in the event of a shutdown. Vought specified that such downsizing should be confined to departments that Democrats hold dear, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed concerns about this strategy, stating, "We're not going to let them use a shutdown as a way to dismantle our regulatory agencies. It's a reckless and irresponsible approach that would put American lives at risk."
Schumer's comments were echoed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who added, "A government shutdown is always a last resort, but if the White House is willing to use it as a bargaining chip, we'll be prepared to fight for our priorities."
The White House has not publicly confirmed Vought's instructions, but a spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said in a statement, "We're committed to finding a solution that works for everyone. We're open to negotiations and willing to work with Democrats to find common ground."
Background on the issue reveals that the White House has been seeking to reduce the size and scope of federal agencies for months. In July, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at streamlining regulations and reducing bureaucratic red tape.
However, Democrats have pushed back against these efforts, arguing that they would undermine critical public health and safety protections. "The idea that we should use a shutdown as leverage to dismantle our regulatory agencies is a non-starter," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). "We'll do everything in our power to prevent it."
As the October 1 deadline for federal funding approaches, lawmakers are bracing for a potential showdown. While some Republicans have expressed support for the White House's strategy, others have warned that a shutdown would be disastrous for the economy.
With just days left before the deadline, Democrats and Republicans will need to find common ground on a spending bill or risk plunging the country into a government shutdown. As one Democratic aide noted, "It's a high-stakes game of chicken, but we're not going to back down."
The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the fate of federal agencies and the regulatory state hangs in the balance.
*Reporting by Vox.*
