WASHINGTON (KGO) — With the federal government shuttered and no negotiations on the schedule — as senators step away for the Yom Kippur holiday — the blame game is intensifying on Capitol Hill.
Democrats and Republicans are trading accusations, while millions of Americans brace for the consequences of the impasse.
In an interview with ABC7 News, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., says Democrats are united around a core demand: addressing rising health care costs.
“I’m going to continue to vote no until we see health care costs addressed,” Padilla said “And by the way, some assurances that we don’t enter into a bipartisan agreement today, only to have Republicans undo that deal, because Trump tells them so.”
He added that open enrollment season makes the fight over premiums particularly urgent.
“Premiums are being set now for the next year. Otherwise premiums going up at $1,000 — that’s a lot for working families,” Padilla said. “The more people understand who’s to blame, the more pressure.
MORE: What happens now that a government shutdown is underway | What you need to know
GOP pressure Democrats to fold
Republicans, meanwhile, are trying to peel off moderate Democrats. Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters Wednesday he believes some in the minority party are “cracking.”
“Three moderate Democrats joined 52 Republicans last night. We need five more in order to reopen the government. And that’s really where we’re going to focus.”
The GOP funding measure failed again on Wednesday in a 55-45 vote. Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and John Fetterman and independent Angus King, again voted. Republican Sen. Rand Paul was also a no vote; the bill needs 60 votes to pass.
Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., said both parties deserve blame for the shutdown, but argued that Democratic leaders are being unrealistic in their demands.
“What’s really troubling is that there seems to be a lot more energy right now being expended blaming one another than actually trying to end the shutdown,” Kiley said. “I’ve been very critical of my own party’s leadership for precisely this issue, because we continue to miss the deadline for passing a budget. We’re having to rely on these continuing resolutions where basically you’re just putting spending on autopilot.”
Still, Kiley said he is open to tying health care premium negotiations to reopening the government.
“If we see that kind of premium increase on top of the already soaring cost of living in California, that’s very concerning to me,” he said. “Whatever it takes to actually get the government back open.”
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: List of what Bay Area national parks, tourist attractions are open and closed
Pelosi: ‘We are willing to negotiate’
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi dismissed Republican confidence that Democrats will break ranks in a Wednesday interview with ABC7 News.
“I think that Leader Schumer will have what he needs in this fight,” she said. “Simply put, you’re either there to help the American people meet their health needs and financial needs — because health is a financial issue — or you’re not. And (Republicans) are not.”
In a statement to ABC7 News, a spokesperson for Congressman Darrell Issa, R-Calif, slammed Democrats for past no votes on government shutdowns, specifically calling out Padilla and Pelosi.
“Congressman Issa voted every time to keep the government open and is working every day to end the Democrat shutdown. Democrats know they shut down the government, which is why they are desperately spinning and lying,” the statement said.
Even before the shutdown, faith in government was waning. A late September poll from The New York Times/Siena University found just one in three Americans have confidence in political institutions to problem solve.
Kiley warned that the shutdown only fuels cynicism.
“We can’t even keep the government open. We can’t even use the funds that our taxpayers have provided to provide the basic services that government is supposed to provide. That can only serve to reaffirm that lack of faith people have in government,” he said.
The Senate will return to session on Friday.
Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Duncan Meyers, founder of BDJOBSTODAY, shares expert career advice, job market insights, and practical tips to help professionals grow and succeed in their careers.
