Senate Majority Leader Thune says Schumer is 'checked out' in effort to end government shutdown

As the government shutdown continues through its second week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of being “checked out” on helping to bring an end to the matter.  

It was during a press conference on Friday that Thune criticized Schumer, citing his remark that the shutdown was proving to be a plus for the Democrats, and that it “gets better” daily. 

“I think Leader Schumer’s checked out,” Thune responded when asked about possible plans to meet with his counterpart, according to The Hill. 

“I think this is going to happen organically with enough reasonable Senate Democrats who care enough about doing the right thing for their country and not what’s in the best interest of their left-wing political base to come forward and help us find a solution. Those conversations continue.” 

Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have been calling for a permanent extension of enhanced ObamaCare subsidies that were put into law during the COVID pandemic, and renewed under the Biden administration. They were set to expire at the end of this year. 

“What they’re talking about is unserious. It’s been unserious from the very beginning,” Thune said. He said on Fox News Friday that he is willing to negotiate on that issue, but not until the government is reopened. 

Friday is day 10 of the shutdown, and with Congress on recess until Tuesday, the shutdown will reach the two-week mark before another vote takes place on ending it.