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Top Republican slams Katherine Clark for saying Dems have 'leverage' in shutdown
Fox News ^ | October 23, 2025 | Elizabeth Elkind

Posted on 10/26/2025 9:02:40 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican

A top House Republican is criticizing one of Democrats’ senior leaders for saying the government shutdown and its effects are a "leverage point" to accomplish their goals on healthcare.

"It's appalling to see the number two House Democrat openly admit that the left is weaponizing hardworking Americans as 'leverage' for political gain, even acknowledging families will suffer in the process," Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital.

"This isn't governance — it's calculated hostage-taking, with struggling families caught in the balance as Democrats attempt to force through their radical agenda. Families are seen only as leverage by Democrats. We always knew it, now they're saying it out loud. Absolutely shameful."

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., sat down for an interview with Fox News’ Chad Pergram last week. At one point, Clark was asked about who Americans would find responsible for the ongoing shutdown.

"I mean, shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have," Clark responded.

"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, and it's been an absolute refusal, and they were willing to let government shut down when they control the House, the Senate and the White House rather than come and talk about an issue as important to the American people is if they can afford healthcare."

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 10/26/2025 9:02:40 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

It is leverage but unfortunately for the Demon-Rats they selected the short end of the lever. Trump has the long end of the lever.


2 posted on 10/26/2025 9:10:21 AM PDT by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist, MAGA)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Nonsense! I hope more Democrats continue to say the quiet part out loud, so even their supporters will know the games that they are playing.


3 posted on 10/26/2025 9:10:27 AM PDT by bigbob (We are all Charlie Kirk now)
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To: MinorityRepublican

HOLLOW HEADS WITH HOLLOW WORDS===DEMOCRATS


4 posted on 10/26/2025 9:12:33 AM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: MinorityRepublican

The real pressure starts in November. No EBT. If the resulting riots are not enough the shortage of airline flights for Thanksgiving will kick it up a notch. After November 21 the bill would have expired anyways.


5 posted on 10/26/2025 9:34:01 AM PDT by Nateman (Democrats did not strive for fraud friendly voting merely to continue honest elections.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

“Hardworking Americans don’t have a problem with the shutdown. Welfare queens do.


6 posted on 10/26/2025 9:37:23 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”)
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To: Sirius Lee

“problem with the shutdown. Welfare queens do.”

Deloitte and its IES Integrated Eligibility System is by far the biggest welfare queen. It will not be shut down. It may gain more grift by now doing nothing.


7 posted on 10/26/2025 9:56:43 AM PDT by spintreebob (In)
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To: cpdiii

Check


8 posted on 10/26/2025 11:15:28 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: MinorityRepublican

The Republicans don’t control the Senate as long as the Democrats have the majority in filibustering.


9 posted on 10/26/2025 12:21:57 PM PDT by murron
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To: MinorityRepublican

More people blame Republicans for the shutdown, and its fallout, than blame the Democrats.

People understand that Republicans hold all three branches of government. That’s where the buck stops.


10 posted on 10/26/2025 2:51:37 PM PDT by Bob Wills is still the king
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To: Bob Wills is still the king
People understand that Republicans hold all three branches of government. That’s where the buck stops.

Correct. Hopefully, the Republicans will use the nuclear option before November.

11 posted on 10/26/2025 3:03:27 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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