Trump Blames Shutdown for GOP Losses, Pushes Voting and Senate Rule Changes
Democratic wins in Virginia, New Jersey and New York highlight the political cost of a prolonged federal shutdown.
Overview
- President Trump said unnamed polling pointed to the government shutdown and his absence from ballots as reasons Republicans lost key off-year races.
- Democrats won high-profile contests, with Abigail Spanberger prevailing in Virginia, Mikie Sherrill winning in New Jersey, and Zohran Mamdani taking New York.
- Trump urged curbs on mail-in voting and pressed the Senate to scrap the filibuster so legislation could pass by simple majority.
- The shutdown continues with reduced federal services and potential pay delays for non-essential workers, and there is no timeline for a deal.
- Talks remain stalled as Senate Democrats block spending bills and seek an extension of expiring health-insurance subsidies despite Republican majorities in Congress.