As the government shutdown approaches one full calendar month, House Democrat Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (MA) referred to everyday Americans suffering the effects of the shutdown as “leverage,” prompting outrage from AMAC members who voiced their frustrations. “Of course, there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have,” Clark said.
The remark came as Democrats continued rejecting a clean continuing resolution (CR) that would keep government spending at the same levels they’ve already approved 13 times before. Instead, Democrat leaders have blocked a clean CR 12 times while demanding more than $1 trillion in new spending and insisting that temporary COVID-era expanded Obamacare subsidies be made permanent—a move that would cost $400 billion over the next decade. For millions of Americans caught in the middle, the suffering is real – and many are furious that Democrats are using them as a bargaining chip.
For 76-year-old Christine Gannage of Maine, the comments struck a nerve. “Katherine Clark says it’s ok to let the American public suffer for political leverage,” she said. “I’m 76 yrs old and on a limited income. I was just told that my food stamps won’t be available in November because of this government shut down. The Democrat Party is literally taking food out of my mouth. It is time to pass the budget and stop this nonsense.”
Jim Qualley of Illinois put it bluntly: “Using American pain for political gain is wrong.”
That sentiment was echoed by Lois Wilkerson of California, who said Clark’s remarks were “despicable.”
“Perhaps she should take her paycheck and donate it to a service member,” Wilkerson said. “Democrats need to open the government and get to work for their constituents. What they are doing is not in the best interest of the American people.”
Bob Scott of Michigan agreed. “No family, or for that matter, no one should suffer because they are being held hostage by a political party using their suffering to advance an agenda that is contrary to majority rule,” he said.
For Bernetta Katz, 88, of Georgia, the situation is infuriating. “It is time the Democrats shape up and get back to work doing what is right for this country and not what will fill their pockets,” she said. “Democrats had four years tearing down this country, now it’s time to let President Trump build it back so more people can live a somewhat normal life. Open the government.”
Tom Shafer of Pennsylvania said Clark’s statement “was despicable, but she’s telling the truth.” He added, “She’s willing to let our essential employees, such as military, federal, law enforcement, and air traffic controllers, suffer and worry where their next check comes from to pay their bills. The Democrat Party needs to get off their rear ends and do their jobs for the people that depend on it.”
“When power becomes the priority, people become collateral,” said Dan Cui of New Hampshire. “The modern Democrat playbook: shut down the government, free the criminals, and punish anyone who dares to disagree.”
Teresa Devillier of Louisiana said Clark’s admission was “deeply troubling and unethical.”
“If you continue to withhold paychecks from the very individuals who protect you and your families, then it is only fair that you forgo your own paychecks as well,” she said. “We the people are aware of the situation and do not accept being treated as pawns or hostages. We know who stands with us – Donald J. Trump – and we will not yield to what we perceive as petty demands.”
James Tracy of Colorado was equally blunt: “Someone who would say a despicable thing as she has should have no place as an elected official in our government.”
For David Hamilton, also of Colorado, “What the Democrats are doing is unconscionable and immoral. That they are willing to let people suffer to make a point should be illegal.”
Many AMAC members pointed to the toll the shutdown is taking on families. “Democrats are hurting a lot of people by holding back on what is right,” said Marjorie Calhoun of Pennsylvania. “I’m praying for you.”
“You are elected for the people’s well-being, not your own political gain. It is shameful. Do your job and vote,” added Ann DiBenedetto of New Jersey.
For Phillip Hansen of Wisconsin, “No American citizen should suffer due to the Democratic shutdown of our government. Illegals in this country should NOT be allowed the benefits to share our dollars for any government program.”
Kenneth Clark of New Hampshire added, “I cannot believe Rep Clark made that statement, but it follows their narrative. I hope people pay attention and realize this is not the Democratic party it once was.”
Kathleen Rogers of Michigan said she was “outraged” that Democrats were “holding the American public hostage.”
“I am sure she is not suffering, as she is still drawing her paycheck,” she said. “Americans should not be made to suffer for political gain, Representative Clark.”
For Linda Stuhr of Oklahoma, the hypocrisy was “enough to render one breathless. We will remember this when we vote,” she warned.
Glenda Norris of Arizona added, “Representative Clark’s comment about allowing American families to suffer as leverage for political gain is so wrong. She was elected to represent those very same people that she is causing to suffer right now. I have heard so many stories of families who already can’t feed their children. Let her check be withheld until the shutdown ends.”
Others highlighted the real-world costs. “You are keeping food, rent, fuel, and jobs from the innocent,” said Christine Sullivan of Washington State. “That is not what America is about.”
Stanley and Donna Powell of Florida, both in their 80s, said they were tired of the political games. “We didn’t vote you in office to play political politics with the U.S. Government,” they said. “The American people who put you in charge of the Government are sick and tired of these ‘political shenanigans.’”
Donald Miller of Michigan put it even more starkly: “I cannot believe that the Democrats want to shut down the government for Illegals and let the hard-working people who are citizens of the USA suffer so they can give money to people who do not deserve it.”
“I am so very tired of the school yard tactics the Democratic party has been displaying over the past 16 years,” said Deborah Coleman of Georgia. “They cannot be trusted with the best interests of the American people. Only their own.”
Hal Thompson of Virginia called it “absolutely despicable” that Senate Democrats were “willing to hurt federal employees, needy families, small businesses, and travelers to fund health care for non-citizens and support the failed experiment of ‘Obummercare.’”
Jesse Moennig of Wisconsin added that the standoff “exposes how far the Democrats will go to support illegal immigrants with free government handouts at the taxpayers’ expense.”
For Dominica Urbani of New York, the shutdown has put her family in jeopardy. “Using Americans’ pain and suffering for political gain, like Rep Katherine Clark referenced, is wrong,” she said. “Low-income Americans like myself that depend on SNAP EBT are going to lose those benefits.”
For 80-year-old Independent voter Maxine Armstrong of Maryland, the shutdown has revealed Democrats’ true priorities. “I don’t appreciate what the Democratic leadership has done to this country while trying and convince ‘we the people’ that they have our best interests at heart,” she said. “We hear what you say, but more importantly, we see what you do, and it isn’t about helping the citizens of this United States of America.”
From coast to coast, AMAC members are sending a clear message: their lives are not “leverage.” The pain being inflicted on seniors, families, and workers is not a bargaining chip – it’s the human cost of partisan obstruction.
AMAC Action continues to urge Congress to immediately pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government, reject the Democrats’ trillion-dollar wish list, and put an end to the political games that use ordinary Americans as pawns. The American people deserve better than to be held hostage by Washington’s power plays.
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