Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) expressed concern over the ongoing government shutdown in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Mornings with Maria, admitting that "it has already lasted longer than I thought it would."
During his interview, the Arizona Republican shared that "even some Democrats actually have scruples of saying this is absurd," adding that "the Democrat base has become so extreme that they are willing to burn down even many of their own constituents, their own neighbors, to try to create pain, particularly pain for those on the Republican side."
Host Maria Bartiromo noted that many are expecting the shutdown to last weeks, asking Rep. Schweikert if he believed the same.
"In my fears, that is what it is looking more like," the Arizona Congressman responded. "And think about how unreasonable Senate Democrats have become."
He argued that Democrats are "asking for functioning a trillion and a half of additional spending over the next ten years, wiping out many of the reforms that we have worked so hard to get woven into, going after that waste and fraud in so many programs in healthcare and so many other things where it is money that is functionally being stolen from the American people."
As a result, he called Senate Democrats' terms to end the shutdown "the theater of the absurd."
Schweikert joined his fellow Arizona Republicans in demanding Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) vote in favor of the House-passed continuing resolution that would reopen the government in a letter.
"Senate Democrats, yourselves included, are making unrelated policy demands that have nothing to do with government funding. It is far past time to stop holding Arizonans hostage and to put the American people first," the letter reads. "This shutdown was not necessary — but it's already happened. Now is the time to do the right thing and vote to reopen our government."
