Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) blamed “far-left” groups for the federal shutdown that began at midnight on Oct. 1, saying their demands boxed in Democratic leaders. Golden was the only Democrat to vote for the GOP funding bill, which passed the House 217–212 on Sept. 19.
“This government shutdown is the result of hardball politics driven by the demands far-left groups are making for Democratic Party leaders to put on a show of their opposition to President [Donald] Trump,” Golden said in a statement on Oct. 1. “The shutdown is hurting Americans and our economy, and the irony is it has only handed more power to the president.”
