The Democrats’ shutdown strategy is terrible. Here’s a better one.

Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 29, 2025. | Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images As of 12:01 am ET, the US federal government has been shut down. Workers deemed “nonessential” are staying at home, meaning that many government functions (like national parks) will be closed because of a lack of staff. “Essential” workers, ranging from soldiers to air traffic controllers, will be working even after money for their paychecks runs out. This is happening, in large part, because the Democratic Party wants a