Washington D.C. – The Calhoun Journal participated in a media interview with U.S. Senator Katie Britt on October 22, during which she discussed the ongoing federal government shutdown, health care subsidy concerns, and judicial appointments. Britt repeatedly referred to the situation as the “Schumer shutdown,” now in its 22nd day, expressing strong frustration with what she described as unnecessary political obstruction in the Senate.
“We put a clean continuing resolution on the floor,” Britt said, explaining that the proposal would extend the existing Biden-era budget for seven weeks to allow appropriations work to continue. “This is absolutely, completely, and totally unnecessary,” she stated. “We’re way ahead of where [Senator Chuck Schumer] ever was, and we’re saying we’re not going to put anything partisan in this.”
Britt, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted that the Senate has passed three of the twelve required appropriations bills, with eight having cleared the committee process. “Chuck Schumer never put any bills on the floor last year, despite the fact that we marked up 11 out of 12,” she noted, contrasting the current session’s progress with previous years.
Addressing the effects of the shutdown, Britt emphasized its impact on working families and federal employees. “SNAP benefits are going to run out at the end of this month,” she said. “That means hungry people not being able to feed their children.” She added, “Let’s do the right thing—the thing you’ve done twelve times in the last few years under the Biden administration.”
Britt also fielded questions about the Affordable Care Act and the upcoming expiration of health care subsidies, arguing that Democrats are using the issue as political leverage. “This is a Democrat-created program with a Democrat-created subsidy, a Democrat-created extension, and a Democrat-created date,” she said. “They can’t say they’re worried Americans can’t afford health care and, at the same time, say they’re fine with men and women in uniform going without pay.”
When asked by a reporter from AL.com about polling that attributes more blame to Republicans for the shutdown, Britt responded directly: “Respectfully, that’s because of people like you,” she said, referring to what she called “legacy media.” She asserted that national outlets have aligned too closely with Democrats, adding, “Y’all have been the third arm of the Democrats’ political party.”
In closing, Britt highlighted recent judicial progress, including the swearing-in of Hal Moody to the federal bench in Huntsville that same morning. “We’re going to work diligently,” she said, adding that more appointments—including for the Southern District of Alabama—are expected soon. “I’m proud to serve our state and our nation on the Senate Judiciary Committee and be part of putting strong conservative jurists on the bench.”
