Source: CBS News – Government shutdown live updates as White House moves to cut billions in funding
Last updated: October 1, 2025
Who is Blaming Democrats for the Shutdown?
Key Republican Statements
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA):
“The simple truth is Democrats in Congress have dragged our country into another reckless shutdown to satisfy their far-left base… It’s entirely up to them whether the government reopens.”
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD):
Blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, saying Democrats are in a “boxed canyon” and that only their support for the House-passed bill can end the shutdown.- Vice President JD Vance:
Vance repeatedly blamed Democrats for the shutdown, including:“The Democrats’ petty political games are unnecessarily hurting the most vulnerable Americans in our society.”
“Chuck Schumer has shut down the federal government.”
“There are critical services that the Democrats have taken hostage because they have a policy disagreement … but they shouldn’t be shutting the government down because of that.”
Federal Agencies
- Multiple federal agency websites (including the Departments of Justice, Agriculture, State, Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development) displayed banners or notices blaming “Democrats” or the “Radical Left” for the shutdown.
- Example: HUD website banner — “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government.”
- Social Security Commissioner message to staff attributed a shutdown to the posture of Congressional Democrats.
Note: Ethics groups have filed Hatch Act complaints regarding these agency messages.
Health Care and Undocumented Immigrants: Fact-Check
Republican Claim
- Claim: Democrats are holding the government “hostage to give free health care to illegal aliens.”
- Representative example:
> “Democrats are holding the American government HOSTAGE so they can give FREE health care to ILLEGAL ALIENS,” — Mike Johnson, House Speaker (source)
The Actual Facts
- According to CBS News’ reporting and direct statements in the article:
- Democratic proposals would NOT provide Medicaid or health coverage to undocumented immigrants.
- The changes sought by Democrats would only extend Medicaid coverage to immigrants with some kind of legal status or government protection.
- Direct quote:
> “The changes sought by Democrats would only extend Medicaid coverage to immigrants with some kind of legal status or government protection.”
- Direct quote:
- Undocumented immigrants remain ineligible for most federal health programs, with very limited exceptions (emergency care under EMTALA, some state/local initiatives).
Contextual Fact-Check
- Sen. Chuck Schumer called Republican attacks “lies,” stating Democrats are not seeking to provide health coverage to undocumented migrants.
- The debate concerns tax credits/Medicaid expansion for legally present immigrants, not those who are in the country without status.
Summary Table
| Statement/Claim | Supported by facts? | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Democrats are causing the shutdown to give “free health care to illegal aliens” | ❌ No | Democratic proposal extends Medicaid only to certain legally present immigrants. |
| Federal agencies blamed Democrats or the “Radical Left” for shutdown | ✔ Yes | Agency banners and staff messages cited in CBS News. |
| Republicans described the government as “held hostage” by Democrats | ✔ Yes | Multiple statements by top GOP leaders, including the Speaker and Vice President. |
Additional Reading
- The facts behind the government shutdown debate over health care and immigrants in the U.S. illegally
- KFF: Health Coverage of Immigrants
- HealthCare.gov: Immigrants and Marketplace Coverage