Maine Democrat Blames ‘Far-Left’ for Government Shutdown

Rep. Jared Golden says progressive pressure pushed Democrats into a standoff, as he backs extending ACA credits but opposes a shutdown.

Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) speaks on stage during Headstrong Washington DC Gala in Washington on Nov. 3, 2021. Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Headstrong

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.”

Golden said he supports extending Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.

“But some of my colleagues in the majority party have reasonable concerns about tax credits going to high-income households. There’s room and time to negotiate. But normal policy disagreements are no reason to subject our constituents to the continued harm of this shutdown,” he said.

The government shut down on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a Republican plan to fund operations through Nov. 21.

Most Democrats opposed that bill and sought to add health care measures, including an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at year’s end. The White House and Republicans rejected negotiating those additions in exchange for keeping the government open.

On Oct. 1, the Senate blocked a Democrat-led stopgap bill, 47–53, and then rejected the House-passed GOP bill, 55–45. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the lone Republican to vote against the bill.

Two Democrats—Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.)—and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with the Democrats, supported the GOP bill on Sept. 30 and again on Oct. 1. Despite their support, it still fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Republican leaders said they wanted a “clean” seven-week extension to allow time to finish full-year bills.

Other Democrats framed the shutdown differently. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a joint statement, “After months of making life harder and more expensive, Donald Trump and Republicans have now shut down the federal government because they do not want to protect the healthcare of the American people.”

Some in the Democratic caucus said they voted to avoid a shutdown while talks continue. Fetterman said in a statement: “I voted AYE to extend ACA tax credits because I support them—but I won’t vote for the chaos of shuttering our government. My vote was for our country over my party.”

Cortez Masto said, “I cannot support a costly shutdown that would hurt Nevada families and hand even more power to this reckless administration.”

King, the independent, said: “I voted to keep the government open for a continuing resolution. ... By shutting the government, we’re actually giving Donald Trump more power.”