Government Shutdown Reaches Day 30 as Eli Crane Blasts Democratic Votes

Rep. Eli Crane

Representative Eli Crane took to social media this week to call out Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego for their votes during the federal government shutdown.

In a post on X, Crane shared a video montage showing both senators voting against efforts to reopen the government.

"Don't think this is a Schumer shutdown? Here is 2.5 minutes of Arizona's two democrat senators. Voting no. Every single time," Crane wrote. "Party over country, I guess."

This week, Senate Democrats blocked a House-passed bill that would have reopened the federal government for the 13th time.

The measure, which would have funded the government through November 21, failed with a 54-45 vote. It needed 60 votes to pass.

The vote came despite pressure from the nation's largest federal workers union to end the 28-day shutdown that had left thousands of government employees without paychecks.

Democrats Voted "No"

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York explained his party's position before the vote. He said Republicans need to negotiate an extension of expiring health insurance subsidies before Democrats would agree to bring federal employees back to work.

Schumer pointed out that the open enrollment period for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was set to begin on November 1, making the issue particularly urgent.

The standoff continues into day 30. Senators returned to Capitol Hill to continue negotiations, but no immediate vote was scheduled.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNBC that more conversations are happening behind the scenes. He suggested that upcoming elections next week might push both sides to finally reach an agreement.

For now, thousands of federal workers remain caught in the middle of the political standoff.

Republicans such as Crane argue that Democrats are putting politics ahead of getting federal workers back on the job. Democrats counter that they're fighting for key health care provisions that must be included in any funding deal.

Ericka Piñon

Ericka Pinon is a state and federal reporter for Cactus Politics. She was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is currently studying Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.