Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) erupted on live television Friday night over Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s latest shutdown proposal, blasting Democrats’ plan to extend Obamacare subsidies as “the dumbest thing possible that won’t work.”
Appearing on The Story with Martha MacCallum on Fox News, Kennedy fumed that he might “need bail money” if Schumer keeps blocking Republican efforts to reopen the government.
“God, please give me patience. Because if you give me strength, I’m going to need bail money,” Kennedy quipped.
The Louisiana Republican joined several of his colleagues in torching a Democratic counteroffer that would fund the government in exchange for extending Affordable Care Act tax credits — a move Kennedy said amounted to a multibillion-dollar giveaway to insurance companies.
“What Senator Schumer is suggesting is that we do the dumbest thing possible that won’t work,” Kennedy said. “Stupid should hurt more.”
Schumer’s proposal, which Democrats framed as a path to ending the shutdown and stabilizing health care costs, was quickly dismissed by GOP leaders. Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) called it a “non-starter that doesn’t even get close,” while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) denounced it as “political terrorism.”
Kennedy didn’t mince words. “Senator Schumer says we should just extend the status quo for a year. What does that mean? That means that we would have to take $35 billion of taxpayer money and give it directly to the health insurance companies without any commitment of lowering premiums,” he said.
“How is that going to reduce healthcare costs? How is that going to reduce premiums?” Kennedy continued. “The healthcare companies are going to take $35 billion from the taxpayers and put it into their pockets. I mean, duh! I don’t know what Senator Schumer is thinking. Earth to Chuck! I mean, Earth to Chuck!”
When asked if he would vote for the deal, Kennedy was blunt. “The short answer is no. The long answer is: hell no!”
The fiery remarks came hours after Senate Republicans rejected the Democrats’ latest proposal to end the shutdown, which has caused growing strain on air travel and federal programs. The standoff centers on whether the government should continue paying health insurance subsidies during the shutdown or redirect those funds elsewhere.
Kennedy said Democrats have repeatedly voted to keep the government closed while blaming Republicans for the fallout. “I voted 14 times to lift the shutdown,” he said. “The Democrats and Senator Rand Paul have voted 14 times to keep the government shutdown. We’re just going to be here for a while.”
The comments underscored the deepening frustration among Senate Republicans, who say Democrats are using the shutdown to gain leverage in health care and spending negotiations.
For Kennedy, who’s known for his colorful one-liners, the night’s outburst was one of his most memorable yet — a mix of homespun humor and searing anger aimed directly at Schumer.
“What Schumer wants us to do,” Kennedy concluded, “is take the taxpayers’ wallet, hand it to the insurance companies, and hope they say thank you. That’s not policy — that’s stupidity.”