GOP leaders 'should get another job where they can be as powerless as they want': congressman

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill) razed House Speaker Mile Johnson and veteran Sen. John Thune (R-N.D.) for abdicating Congressional power to the White House in the ongoing government shutdown.

Most Americans are aware the federal government is shut down and they expect it to hurt them personally. But they’re also blaming Republicans and President Donald Trump, according to multiple polls and surveys.

On a Politico panel, Casten suggested Republicans join Democrats in passing a simple bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) “that’s consistent with the funding levels that were set the last time Congress did a full appropriations process,” but he added that Johnson takes issue with the fact that the last time Congress passed a full appropriations package “Nancy Pelosi was House Speaker.”

“So, you’ve got this scenario where the Johnson and Thune Congress has completely abdicated any responsivity in funding by letting the Trump White House rescind funds, letting DOGE cut funds and is now saying we want to provide a continuing resolution where you will sign off on what we’ve done,” Casten said.

“That ain’t the way to get it done,” Caste said. “They’ve always known they needed 60 votes in the Senate and I, for one— there is no scenario where I say I would like to not only strip people’s healthcare away but also ignore any oath to the Constitution and any Congressional power over appropriations.”

“If Johnson and Thune want to do that, they should go get another job where they can be as powerless as they want to be,” Casten said. “But Congress is at an important place that demands serious people, and I am furious that there’s not a serious person in the Republican Party who gives a damn about defending Congress’ power of the purse.”