The Washington Post editorial board criticized Senate Democrats for prolonging the government shutdown and praised eight Democratic senators who broke with their party to approve a bipartisan resolution to reopen the government, arguing that such actions almost never succeed.
The editorial compared the current situation to the 2013 Republican shutdown attempt to defund Obamacare, highlighting how “angry activists” have influenced Democrats into policies that ultimately lead to failure. The Post argued that the party taking the government hostage to advance its political goals almost never succeeds, a trend that has occurred in both parties.
The editorial board cited the failed 2013 Republican attempt to defund Obamacare and President Trump’s unsuccessful efforts to secure funding for the border wall in 2019 as examples of this trend. They emphasized that even partial shutdowns eventually become too politically painful to maintain, with Democrats left to deal with the consequences of canceled flights and public backlash.
The Post acknowledged the eight Senate Democrats who voted with Republicans to end the shutdown and urged the party to recognize the unnecessary pain they have already caused. The editorial expressed frustration toward Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for not voting to reopen the government, suggesting that his reluctance to take tough votes has left other members to face the wrath of the party’s base.
The editorial also pointed out that while the bipartisan agreement is a step toward ending the shutdown, its temporary nature raises concerns. The deal extends current funding levels until January 30, 2026, leaving Democrats to face the same cycle of dysfunction in just over eight months. The Post concluded by questioning whether the party will learn from its mistakes or repeat the same pattern.
Meanwhile, the editorial highlighted the criticism from some Democratic leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who called the deal “a policy and political disaster” or “pathetic.” However, the Post argued that such outbursts are largely performative and do not reflect the broader public opinion, which may be more sympathetic to the practical solutions offered by the bipartisan agreement.
As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history draws to a close, the editorial board emphasized the need for political leaders to prioritize the public interest over partisan goals. They argued that the recent bipartisan effort, while not perfect, represents a rare moment of cooperation that should be celebrated rather than criticized.