Dem Congresswoman calls Schumer shutdown ‘eight weeks of taxpayer funded vacation’

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-NC, was not amused by her Democratic colleague’s jab as she returned to the House of Representatives.

The House has not been called back into session since House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned in September, ahead of what would end up being a record-breaking government shutdown. Democrats refused to help Republicans fund the government until after the November 4 election, where the party swept up important seats in New York City, Virginia and New Jersey. Now, the House is back in session, and it resulted in a tense exchange between Foxx and Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Arizona.

Watch:

“Thank you, Madam Chair,” Ansari said after being recognized during the House Rules Committee meeting on the government funding bill. “Welcome back from your eight weeks of taxpayer-funded vacation. It’s good to see you, and I hope–”

“I’m gonna interrupt you. I’m gonna interrupt you, please. I am sick and tired of hearing you all say we had an eight-week vacation,” Foxx shot back.

“That’s exactly what happened,” the Democrat replied.

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“I worked every day. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to hear another soul say that!” Foxx snapped.

“I worked every single day, and that’s exactly what happened with Speaker Mike Johnson,” Ansari retorted.

“You’re recognized,” Foxx answered.

“I hope that you all enjoyed yourselves while American families looked at their letters from their health insurance companies, terrified that their insurance premiums were going to double or triple while the House was out of session for 53 days. That is unacceptable,” the young lawmaker continued, towing the party’s issue du jour, which caused them to keep the government shut down until their demands were met. Unfortunately for the radical obstructionists, eight Democrats were willing to cross the line to vote on funding without having any assurances regarding the Affordable Care Act subsidies being extended.

And Ansari isn’t the only Democrat trying to rewrite history in real time. Earlier in the meeting, Rep. Jim McGovern hawked the same accusation at Republicans by claiming that Democrats worked hard in Washington D.C., while GOP members were living it up at home on the taxpayers’ dime.

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“Where the hell have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you guys. Seriously, we were worried. We actually started handing out missing person posters. Nobody has seen you for eight weeks. But hey, I’m glad that you’re ok. I’m glad you survived your nice two-month paid vacation while Democrats stayed in Washington to try to end this shutdown.”

In reality, Democrats stayed in Washington D.C., so they could continue voting down bills to fund the government, including critical federally funded programs like SNAP, until Republicans caved to their demands. They place the blame for the shutdown squarely on the GOP’s shoulders when it’s clear they were the ones refusing to negotiate their position until after it benefited them politically.

Sierra Marlee

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