Vice President JD Vance has accused Democrats of “hostage-taking” as the federal government shutdown stretched into its twelfth day, with no resolution in sight. The standoff has deepened tensions between congressional leaders and the White House as both parties blame each other for the ongoing crisis.
Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday, Vance said Democrats are “holding the government hostage” over a dispute involving health insurance tax credits. He argued that Democratic leaders were refusing to reopen the government unless their demands were met. “We don’t negotiate with a person who has taken the entire federal government hostage over a health care policy dispute,” Vance said.
Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have insisted that negotiations are necessary to resolve the shutdown. They want an extension of expiring health insurance tax credits included in any funding deal to reopen the government. However, Vance dismissed this approach, calling it “not negotiation but hostage-taking.”
“If Chuck Schumer wants to discuss health care, he’s welcome to do that,” Vance said. “But you don’t come into the Oval Office and say, ‘Give us everything we want or we’ll keep the government closed.’”
The vice president maintained that the administration is open to policy discussions once the government resumes operations. He also defended the White House’s handling of the shutdown, saying it is working to ensure essential services remain open despite the disruption.
On Friday, the White House confirmed that layoffs linked to the shutdown had begun, with seven federal agencies issuing notices to over 4,000 workers. Some of these layoffs have since been rescinded, but the administration acknowledged the challenges of reallocating limited funds to maintain basic operations.
Vance said the situation has created “chaos,” but placed the blame squarely on Schumer and what he called “far-left Democrats.” He argued that the shutdown would end immediately if moderate Democrats joined Republicans to approve the funding bill.
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut rejected Vance’s claims, saying Republicans were “boycotting” negotiations. Murphy accused Republicans of trying to raise health insurance premiums to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. “This is an emergency,” he said. “Families are struggling, and it’s time to act.”
As the shutdown continues, both sides remain entrenched, with no clear sign of compromise to reopen the government.
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