Top Dem Says Families Must Suffer for Shutdown Negotiating Power [WATCH]

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-CT), the second-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, said Thursday that the ongoing government shutdown — now stretching into its third week — presents her party with “leverage” in negotiations with Republicans, as reported by Breitbart.

During an interview with Fox News, Clark acknowledged that the shutdown is causing pain for families but suggested it is one of the few moments Democrats can use to gain ground in the budget process.

“Shutdowns are terrible, and of course there will be families that are going to suffer,” Clark said. “We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

@WhipKClark, the number two House Democrat, on the Democrat Shutdown: “Of course there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

These people are SICK! pic.twitter.com/7MRHsmGMGx

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 22, 2025

Clark, who serves as House Minority Whip, added that the situation represents a critical moment for negotiations. “It is an inflection point in this budget process where we have tried to get the Republicans to meet with us and prioritize the American people,” she said.

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Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have maintained that they are willing to negotiate on key spending priorities once the government is reopened. GOP leaders have pushed for a clean continuing resolution (CR) to extend government funding at current levels without policy additions or cuts.

Despite those offers, Democrats have not agreed to end the shutdown, which began amid disputes over healthcare funding and other budgetary measures. The standoff has left federal workers without pay and created uncertainty for millions of Americans who rely on government services.

Clark’s comments came just days before the start of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), set for November 1. The law’s tax credits are set to expire within days, but the shutdown has delayed agency operations tied to healthcare enrollment.

“The marketplace, the ACA [Obamacare] marketplace, open enrollment takes place on Nov. 1,” Clark said. “People are receiving their premium notices that they’re going to go to that marketplace and say, ‘I can’t afford this.’ That is a real crisis for American families.”

She continued, “It drives up the cost of healthcare for every single person, no matter where you get your health insurance from.”

Republicans have argued that reopening the government would allow both parties to address those healthcare challenges immediately. GOP lawmakers have said their proposed clean CR would fund the government without delay while broader budget negotiations continue.

President Trump and House Republican leaders have emphasized that they are prepared to continue discussions with Democrats on healthcare and other fiscal priorities once the shutdown ends.

The ongoing stalemate has also raised questions about political strategy, as Democrats face criticism for allowing the shutdown’s impact to deepen while admitting it serves as a tool for negotiating leverage.

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