McConnell Criticizes Pre-Election Shutdown Plan as ‘Politically Beyond Stupid’

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued a stark warning to Republicans on Tuesday, saying it would be “politically beyond stupid” to allow a government shutdown before the 2024 election. With just days until the funding deadline, McConnell stressed that Republicans could face significant voter backlash if the government shuts down, putting the blame squarely on the GOP.

Speaking at the U.S. Capitol, McConnell said, “The one thing you cannot have is a government shutdown. It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election, because certainly we’d get the blame.” His remarks come as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) remain at odds over the terms of a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded.

Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House, while Democrats control the Senate. With the 2024 election looming, the stakes are high for both parties. A government shutdown could provide Democrats with a potent weapon against Republicans, casting them as dysfunctional and incapable of governing.

McConnell’s comments highlight the rift within the GOP on how to handle the budget negotiations. House Speaker Mike Johnson has moved forward with a six-month CR that includes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which aims to prevent non-citizens from voting in federal elections. The bill, which is set for a House vote, has drawn mixed reactions from Republicans and strong opposition from Democrats.

President Joe Biden has already threatened to veto the proposal, while former President Donald Trump has encouraged Republicans to force a shutdown if they cannot secure election security reforms along with the spending measure. Trump’s stance has emboldened some Republicans, but McConnell’s warning suggests a growing fear that the party could suffer if a budget standoff leads to a shutdown.

Schumer has warned against tying the SAVE Act to a short-term CR, suggesting it would make the bill “unworkable” and arguing that critical programs like military funding would suffer under such a long-term patch. Schumer and other Democrats have accused Republicans of risking essential services and creating political chaos over election-related demands.

While McConnell declined to back a specific proposal, his message to fellow Republicans was clear: avoid a shutdown at all costs. “We’ve been here before,” McConnell said, referencing past shutdowns that hurt the GOP politically. “I’m for whatever avoids a government shutdown.”

As the clock ticks down to the funding deadline, Republicans face a critical decision. With election season heating up, the consequences of a shutdown could reshape the 2024 landscape, and McConnell’s warning may be the last signal to get a deal done before voters hold the party accountable.

Please share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.