Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) offered a scathing critique of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during an appearance on Will Cain Country, stating that the Democratic leader “gambled and lost” on a key legislative issue and is now facing the consequences from his own party.
Speaking about the political fallout from the government reopening, Senator Kennedy asserted that Schumer’s political maneuver failed to appease the party’s progressive wing.
“Senator Schumer… gambled and he lost,” Sen. Kennedy told the host, adding that the Majority Leader is now “walking around now looking like a guy who just lost his luggage.”
The Political Miscalculation
According to Kennedy, Schumer’s political gamble was an effort to gain favor with the party’s progressive base, which he called the “Bolshevik wing.”
Senator Kennedy explained that the attempt to win over this group failed, resulting in them being “madder than ever at him.” He tied this progressive wing, also calling it the “socialist wing,” to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He suggested that if Democrats gain control of the House, figures like Ocasio-Cortez might attempt to challenge party leadership or even run for president.
Kennedy characterized the progressive wing as the “loudest” part of the party, noting that “until the more rational Democrats stand up to her and them, the chaos will continue.”
Addressing Government Stalemates
Beyond the critique of Senate leadership, Senator Kennedy also highlighted a legislative measure he plans to introduce aimed at ending government shutdowns.
He stated that to prevent future shutdowns, two things are necessary:
- Stop Congressional Pay: Members of Congress should not be paid during a shutdown. Kennedy noted that he did not take his salary during the last shutdown and plans to seek a vote on a provision to mandate this.
- Keep Members in D.C.: Members of Congress should be required to stay within 100 miles of Washington D.C. during a shutdown and “can’t go home.”
Kennedy argued that implementing these measures would introduce “shared sacrifice” and make any future shutdowns “very short.”
READ: Louisiana Sen. Kennedy Rips Schumer For “Intergalactic Freak Show Shutdown”
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