Students divided, concerned by political polarization

President Donald Trump signed a bill on the night of November 12 reopening the government after its longest shutdown in congressional history. The 43-day shutdown was the result of the Senate’s failure to pass this year’s fiscal budget over disputes on the allocation of health care benefits.  

Although Republicans had enough votes to pass the Senate’s Appropriations Bill and continue funding the government, Democrats filibustered the bill in an effort to renew subsidies within the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Despite the shutdown’s detrimental impacts on millions of Americans, including the vast network of federal workers and those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Democrats refused to allow the passing of the budget until Republicans promised to roll back federal layoffs and hold a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies. 

In an effort to appease voters concerned over the effects of the shutdown, eight Democratic Senators eventually voted to pass the appropriations bills and end the filibuster on November 9. Several prominent Democratic leaders criticized their fellow party members who gave into the Republican pressure. California Governor Gavin Newsom called their decision “a capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans.” 

Democrat Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar also heavily criticized the senators who broke from party leadership saying, “I do think at some point it is important for Democrats to have a backbone and really fight for the American people.” 

Although the shutdown was initially triggered by Democrats’ refusal to vote for a continuing resolution they had backed in the past, several high-ranking Democratic congressmembers claimed the shutdown was primarily the responsibility of a Republican-controlled government. Among these critics was House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who stated, “Shutdowns are never things to be embraced, and unfortunately, Republicans decided to embrace a shutdown with their complete control of government, rather than sit down with Democrats and find a bipartisan path forward.” 

The Rover interviewed several Notre Dame students for their perspectives on the government shutdown. 

Freshman Kurt Smith said he was “glad that the government is back up and running,” but noted that the shutdown proves political polarization is “a big problem.”

Freshman Sabrina Richter told the Rover that she was ignorant of the inner workings of the shutdown. “I do not follow the news that much and I feel that I am in a pretty privileged place just being here at Notre Dame, as I am pretty isolated from the events of the shutdown.” Another female student residing in Walsh Hall said, “I am privileged to be in a situation where I am only worried about flights home, but I am happy for other people that benefit from SNAP to receive aid again.” 

Many students were critical of Democrats, faulting them primarily for shutting down the government. A sophomore from Dunne Hall said, “I am glad that the Left finally caved and gave [the government] back. … The Left recognized the pressure that was building and it was about time to give [the government] back.” 

Similarly, junior Simon Wied told the Rover, “Senate Democrats voted numerous times to continue to keep the government closed, which had the consequence of blocking pay for federal employees and SNAP benefits for families in need. I’m very pleased that some Senate Democrats have finally decided to end this nonsense.”

Others attributed the shutdown to other causes. A senior living in Fisher Hall said, “Democrats caved on some issues in order for the government to be reopened” and also claimed that “reopening the government was the right thing to do, but both parties were responsible for the shutdown.” 

Another student, a resident of Dillon Hall, told the Rover, “I think the timing of the shutdown definitely impacted the electoral success that the Democrats had in the recent elections because of how this whole thing is causing people to change how they view the Trump Administration.” 

The student concluded, “It was pretty weak [for the Democrats] to back out of [the shutdown] with all the wind at their back.” 

Raymond Webber is a sophomore philosophy major with a constitutional studies minor. He can be reached at rwebber2@nd.edu.

Anthony Fedoruk is a junior political science major. He can be reached at afedoruk@nd.edu.

Photo Credit: Flickr

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