California Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed fellow Democrats for reaching a deal with Republicans to end the government shutdown, saying President Donald Trump has “completely changed the rules of the game” and his party is “still playing by the old rules.”
Speaking at the COP30 in Brazil, Newsom said he was “stunned” by the agreement considering that, “in the face of this invasive species that is Donald Trump,” his party has not adapted to confront him and his administration accordingly.
Newsom had also called the agreement “pathetic,” with his press office calling it “a surrender.”
He is among several Democrats who have slammed their colleagues. Sen. Ruben Gallego said “I will not turn my back on the 24 million Americans who will see their premiums more than double if we don’t extend these tax credits.”
Sen. Chris Murphy warned his colleagues they were making a mistake: “This bill doesn’t do anything to arrest the health care catastrophe, nor does it constrain in any meaningful way President Trump’s illegality,” he said.
In contrast, Sen. John Fetterman, who was one of the eight senators to support the deal, defended his decision.
Speaking on The View, Fetterman was challenged for his decision and asked why he brought a “butter knife to a gun fight.”
“I don’t need a lecture from Bernie or the governor in California because they are representing very deep blue populations. A lot of those things were part of the extreme. I remember what really is needed for the big win. It is involving my state and other states,” Fetterman said.
Earlier this week he also defended the decision, saying he is “putting country over party.” “Feed everyone. Pay our military, government workers, and Capitol Police. End the chaos in airports,” Fetterman added in a social media publication along with fellow Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick, who also supported the agreement.
The deal reached does not include an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, a major concession from Democrats to end the shutdown. Should the funds lapse, insurance premiums for millions of people would raise. Democrats settled for a promise that a bill on the matter by the second week of December. Its outcome is already uncertain, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying he wouldn’t promise the vote will take place.
Originally published on Latin Times
