Elections Have Consequences: Why the Shutdown Is More About Leverage Than Leadership

I’m tired of the political hyperbole. While I’m a strong conservative and have no problem calling out bad policy when I see it, I’m also exhausted by the endless political theater coming from both sides. Still, let’s be honest: most of the over-the-top spin seems to come from the left, and that’s part of why I lean conservative. But this piece isn’t about taking cheap shots — it’s about cutting through the noise. When Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared at a CNN town hall event Wedn to discuss the ongoing government shutdown 2025, the conversation quickly became another round of finger-pointing. When a Republican student asked Sanders to explain Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s leadership during the crisis, Sanders dodged, shifting the blame to House Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump. It was a perfect snapshot of how real policy debates get lost in the rhetoric.

The Reality Behind the Shutdown

The current shutdown isn’t really about keeping the government open—it’s about who sets the priorities for federal spending. Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, meaning the voters have already chosen the policy direction. But Democrats are using the shutdown as leverage to hold on to parts of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) spending structure that were designed under their leadership. Specifically, they want to preserve extended ACA tax credits and protect state-level programs that offer healthcare benefits to individuals who aren’t legally in the country.

What’s Actually Being Argued

Democrats argue that scaling back these programs would harm low-income families and vulnerable populations. Republicans counter that it’s about accountability—ensuring that taxpayer money goes only to those eligible under federal law. The key point: illegal immigrants are not eligible for federal healthcare programs like Medicaid, Medicare, or Obamacare subsidies. But some blue states use their own budgets—and sometimes overlapping federal grants—to cover those individuals. Republicans want that practice stopped, arguing that it violates the intent of federal law.

The $1 Trillion Talking Point

Sanders keeps repeating that the GOP “gave $1 trillion in tax cuts to the rich while cutting healthcare.” That number refers to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reduced taxes for corporations and individuals across all income levels. The top earners saw the largest dollar savings because they pay the most taxes, but the middle class also benefited from lower rates and a doubled standard deduction. As for “cutting healthcare,” no program was directly reduced by that legislation. The only major healthcare change was the removal of the Obamacare individual mandate penalty. In other words, Sanders is describing a hypothetical outcome, not a literal cut.

The Real Issue: Federal Leverage and Political Optics

The government shutdown isn’t about immediate healthcare funding—it’s about control. Democrats are using the shutdown to pressure Republicans into preserving programs that benefit their voter base, especially in states that expanded coverage to noncitizens. Republicans see this as a constitutional question: if the GOP controls Congress, its budget priorities should reflect the voters’ choice. That’s not cruelty; it’s how representative government works.

The Consequence of Power

Elections have consequences. As President Obama himself once reminded Republicans after his 2008 victory, winning control of government means you set the policy agenda. When Democrats held power, they passed expansive social programs and regulatory initiatives. Now that Republicans hold the majority, the legislative balance naturally shifts. Shutting down the government to protest that shift doesn’t change the law—it only hurts ordinary Americans who rely on steady governance. The real path forward is negotiation, not obstruction. Democrats can fight for their policies at the ballot box in 2026. Until then, the government’s direction follows the majority elected by the people.

A Shutdown Fueled by Political Theater

Bernie Sanders and AOC are using the cameras and the headlines to suggest that Republicans are “taking away” healthcare or “attacking” the poor. But the reality is simpler: the shutdown continues because Democrats refuse to pass a spending bill that reflects the results of the last election. It’s not about compassion or cruelty—it’s about political leverage. The sooner Washington stops treating every budget negotiation as a campaign rally, the sooner the government can reopen.

What Comes Next

Unless one side gives ground, the shutdown will likely continue until late fall. Republicans have little incentive to fold when they hold both the legislative majority and the presidency. Democrats, meanwhile, are hoping public frustration will eventually shift the blame their way. But with a nationwide “No Kings Rally” planned for this weekend—a grassroots event organized by progressive activists to protest Republican control—there’s virtually no chance Democratic leaders will concede before then. They’ve spent weeks energizing a base that expects confrontation, not compromise. Standing in front of that crowd and admitting political reality would be unthinkable for them right now. Still, most Americans understand that governing isn’t about tantrums—it’s about responsibility. The law stands until voters change it, and for now, that law is in Republican hands.

Editor’s Note: This article reflects the opinion of the author.

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