‘Reopen the government’: JD Vance pressures Democrats, calls for funding 'discussion'

US government shutdown

US Vice President JD Vance has strongly criticized Democrats over the ongoing federal government shutdown, urging them to “join for a discussion to reopen the government” while accusing the party’s progressive wing of standing in the way.

At the first White House press briefing since the shutdown began, Vance appeared alongside press secretary Karoline Leavitt. He expressed optimism that the deadlock would not last long, predicting that “moderate Democrats were already cracking.”

Speaking to reporters, Vance argued that President Donald Trump had taken “historic” steps to lower prescription drug prices, but Democrats refused to cooperate.

“Democrats say that they care a lot about lowering health care costs. And yet, when the president took historic action to work with the drug companies to lower prescription drug prices, the Democrats did nothing to help us... What they have done instead is to shut down the government because we won't give billions of dollars to health care funding for illegal aliens,” he said.

#WATCH | Washington, DC | US Vice President JD Vance says, "Democrats say that they care a lot about lowering health care costs. And yet, when the president took historic action to work with the drug companies to lower prescription drug prices, the Democrats did nothing to help… pic.twitter.com/mBWAztGE3n

— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2025

The shutdown took effect Tuesday night after Congress failed to agree on a funding bill. Republicans are pushing for a short-term extension of current funding, while Democrats are demanding concessions, particularly related to health care.

Vance predicts the shutdown won’t last long

Despite the standoff, Vance predicted the shutdown would be short-lived, suggesting moderate Democrats were beginning to “crack.”

“I actually don't think it's going to be that long of a shutdown,” he said, adding, “I think you already saw some evidence that moderate Democrats are cracking a little bit.”

A Senate procedural vote on Wednesday failed 55–45, falling short of the 60 votes needed. Three members of the Democratic caucus, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and independent Angus King, sided with Republicans.

Schumer under pressure

Vice President JD Vance argued that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was pushing Democrats too far left out of fear of a potential primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed his remarks, saying Schumer had already lost moderate support. “Sen. Schumer was not expecting three moderates to break with him last night,” she said, urging Democrats to “have the courage to do the right thing” and reopen the government.

Vance stressed that no final decisions on federal employees had been made, but “extraordinary steps” may be required, while Leavitt confirmed layoffs were “imminent” if the impasse continues.

She also blamed Democrats directly: “Democrats in Congress have officially shut down the United States government. House Republicans passed a nonpartisan, clean piece of legislation to extend current government funding until November 21st, but nearly every single Democrat senator voted against this bill. This was the exact same bill that Democrats approved six months ago in March, just adjusted for inflation.”

She accused Democrats of playing “pure partisan politics” and argued the US could not afford “taxpayer-funded free healthcare to illegals.” With the next Senate vote delayed until Friday due to Yom Kippur, the shutdown is set to continue for several more days.