California Gov. Gavin Newsom sharply criticized eight Democratic-aligned senators who joined Republicans to advance legislation ending the government shutdown, calling the agreement a capitulation to President Donald Trump. The Senate passed the temporary funding measure 60-40 late Sunday, clearing the path for the government to reopen after 40 days of frozen services, delayed federal paychecks, and suspended food assistance benefits.
The stopgap bill funds the government through late January and defers a key dispute over Affordable Care Act premium tax credits until mid-December. The House is expected to vote on the measure before sending it to the president's desk.
Newsom responded within minutes on social media. "Pathetic. America deserves better," he wrote. "This isn't a deal. It's a surrender. Don't bend the knee!" The governor later expanded on his remarks in an interview with the Associated Press, saying, "I'm not pleased that, in the face of this invasive species that is Donald Trump, who's completely changed the rules of the game, that we're still playing by the old rules."
The eight senators who voted with Republicans were Democrats Dick Durbin of Illinois, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Independent Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats.
Sen. King defended his vote, telling CNN, "I never thought that shutting down the government... was leverage against the Republicans, and that was proven to be the case." Kaine said his support stemmed from securing protections for federal workers. "This legislation will protect federal workers from baseless firings... and ensure federal workers receive back pay," he said.
The shutdown affected millions:
- 42 million Americans temporarily lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) access
- More than 1 million federal employees were either furloughed or working without pay
- Over 2,000 flights were canceled Sunday alone due to staffing shortages
Criticism came from within the Democratic party as well. Rep. Ro Khanna argued that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer should step aside, stating, "Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced." Sen. Bernie Sanders warned that agreeing to the deal "would be a policy and political disaster," arguing it could signal to Trump that congressional opposition is weakening.
Newsom said the eight senators underestimated the broader implications. "I'm really more alarmed than it appears the eight members of my party are in the United States Senate," he told AP. "I'm much more alarmed about the future of our country."
