CSPAN Democrat Caller Rips Her Party For Government Shutdown, Holding Americans Hostage [WATCH]

A retired federal employee and self-identified Democrat publicly criticized her party on Monday for refusing to reopen the government, as the shutdown entered its fourth week and millions of Americans face potential loss of food assistance on November 1.

The shutdown began on October 1 after Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, blocked a bipartisan continuing resolution that would have kept the government funded.

Only three Democratic senators supported the measure, including Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman.

Appearing as a caller on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, the retired worker said her party was to blame for prolonging the shutdown, warning that families depending on food aid could soon go hungry if lawmakers continue to stall.

“I hear people talking about ‘the president needs to get involved’ and ‘the Democrats are saying this,’ ‘the Republicans are saying this,’” the caller said.

“This is the truth: The Democrats, and I’m a Democrat, are the ones that actually, in the Senate side, shut down the government. They did not vote for a continuing resolution except for three of them. One is the senator of Pennsylvania, [John] Fetterman, and all.”

The caller urged Democratic senators to end the political gridlock, saying the party’s refusal to compromise was hurting ordinary Americans.

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“They have to get together and stop holding Americans hostage,” she said.

“We’re about to have people without food come, what, November 1st, which is the end of this week. And that’s ridiculous.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food aid to more than 40 million Americans, will lose funding on November 1 unless Congress passes a new funding measure.

Several states have warned they will be forced to suspend benefits if the shutdown continues.

“It is not worth it,” the caller continued.

“Plus, the health care companies have already said you’re way past the deadline for them to change their costs that they’re going to give out to the public for the health care. So November 1st is open season.”

The former federal worker also argued that the standoff was strengthening President Donald Trump’s hand, since Democrats are relying on him to intervene even though Congress holds the constitutional power to pass a funding bill.

“So they need to get together. I know they keep on saying the president needs to come back, but the power of the purse is with the Congress, not the president,” she said.

“You all talk about this president being a king, but if you want him to solve this problem, you’re making him a king. This has got to stop in America.”

She called on her party to negotiate instead of remaining deadlocked.

“I want the Democrats to fight, but I want them to fight in a negotiating way like I did when I was a union president versus sitting up here constantly bickering and the Republicans bickering,” she said.

“This has got to stop. And America has got to stop accepting it.”

Senate Democrats have consistently blocked efforts by Republicans to pass temporary funding bills.

Schumer and his caucus have refused to consider any resolution that does not include an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and other Democratic spending priorities.

However, Senator Fetterman said he believes Democrats should vote to reopen the government before continuing negotiations over health care subsidies and tax credit extensions.

Speaking on Fox News’ Saturday in America, Fetterman said he trusts Senate Majority Leader John Thune to hold “a sincere conversation” after the government is back open.

“I do fundamentally believe [Senate Majority] Leader [John] Thune is an honorable guy and I do believe we could have a sincere conversation after we can open it up,” Fetterman said.

“Let’s just open it up, and then we have our SNAP, we have everyone’s paid, and then we can have that conversation and see if we can extend those tax credit deals because I do believe there are enough Republicans that would like to see that too.”

With food assistance and other federal programs approaching critical deadlines, the caller’s comments reflect growing frustration—even among Democratic voters—over the party’s refusal to reach an agreement.

Unless lawmakers act soon, millions of low-income families may begin losing benefits within days.