C-SPAN host listens as a Democrat caller from Pennsylvania blasts her own party for “holding Americans hostage” during the government shutdown. (Screenshot: C-SPAN)
A lifelong Democrat and retired federal worker took to C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” on Monday to eviscerate Senate Democrats for their role in prolonging a government shutdown now entering its fourth grueling week.
The caller, identifying herself as Lynn from Philadelphia, accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his caucus of outright refusing to reopen the government, thereby “holding Americans hostage” amid mounting hardships for everyday citizens.
The shutdown began on October 1, after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led nearly all Senate Democrats in blocking a bipartisan continuing resolution that would have kept the government funded.
Lynn, who said she’s a retired federal worker and former union president, warned that millions of Americans could lose access to food assistance as the standoff continues.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly known as food stamps, is the federal government’s largest anti-hunger program, providing monthly food benefits to roughly 42 million low-income Americans through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
Now, SNAP is on the verge of running out of funding. Nearly 42 million recipients could lose their benefits as the federal shutdown continues. Funding for October was distributed to states before the shutdown began on October 1, but unless Congress restores appropriations, benefits will stop being issued on November 1.
She also blasted Democrats for ignoring the upcoming open enrollment period for healthcare, saying the delay is throwing costs and plans into chaos.
Lynn rejected the talking point that President Trump is responsible for the stalemate, pointing out that Congress holds the power of the purse, not the White House.
CSPAN Caller:
I’m a retired federal worker, and I hear people talking about the President needing to get involved, and the Democrats are saying this, and Republicans are saying that.
This is the truth — the Democrats, and I’m a Democrat, are the ones that actually, on the Senate side, shut down the government. They did not vote for a continuing resolution, except for three of them.
One is the Senator from Pennsylvania, Fetterman, and all. So they have to get together and stop holding Americans hostage. We’re about to have people without food come November 1st, which is the end of this week — and that’s ridiculous. It is not worth it.
Plus, the health care companies have already said, “You’re way past the deadline for them to change their costs that they’re going to give out to the public for health care,” because November 1st is open season. So they need to get together.
I know they keep on saying the President needs to come back, but the power of the purse is with Congress, not the President. You all talk about this President being a king — but if you want him to solve this problem, you’re making him a king.
This has got to stop in America. I want the Democrats to fight, but I want them to fight in a negotiating way — like I did when I was a union president — versus sitting up here constantly bickering, and the Republicans bickering.
This has got to stop, and America has got to stop accepting it. That’s all I have to say.
WATCH:
NEW: Dem Retired Federal Worker C-SPAN Caller *TORCHES* her party over “HOLDING AMERICANS HOSTAGE” with Shutdown
“This is the truth: The Democrats are the ones that actually — in the Senate side — shut down the government.”
“So they have to get together and stop holding… pic.twitter.com/J9yFtU37rp
— Jason Cohen (@JasonJournoDC) October 27, 2025
The post Democrat Retired Federal Worker on C-SPAN TORCHES Her Own Party — Blasts Senate Dems for “Holding Americans Hostage” with Schumer Shutdown appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.