In a viral video, Democrat Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) says that, while Democrats’ government shutdown will cause American families to suffer, it’s worth it because it gives her party leverage to pass its political agenda.
“Utterly shameful! The Democrats OPENLY ADMIT they are causing the shutdown—and using hardworking American families as their LEVERAGE,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) wrote Wednesday, responding to a social media post of Clark’s statement.
Clark made the admission on Thursday in an interview with Fox News Channel, in which she said Democrats take “responsibility” for the suffering:
“Shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage items we have. It is an inflection point in this budget process where we have tried to get the Republicans to meet with us and prioritize the American people.”
Getting the extra $1.5 trillion of spending for things like health care for illegal aliens that they’re demanding is more important than ending the suffering caused by the shutdown, Clark said.
Utterly shameful! The Democrats OPENLY ADMIT they are causing the shutdown—and using hardworking American families as their LEVERAGE. https://t.co/boosLESCYP
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 22, 2025
