The Tenth Day of the Government Shutdown Exposed Deep Divisions in Congress

Partisan standoffs in Congress have spilled from closed-door negotiations into open confrontations as the government shutdown drags into its tenth day with no end in sight.

On October 8, two separate clashes drew media attention as lawmakers from both parties scrambled to seize the initiative in negotiations. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York publicly confronted House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, accusing him of refusing to support his bill extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for one year. The five-minute exchange unfolded in front of reporters following Jeffries’ daily shutdown briefing and ended with Jeffries calling Lawler a “complete and total embarrassment.”

Earlier that day, Arizona Democratic Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly held an impromptu press conference outside House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, demanding that Congress reconvene to negotiate on health care extensions and to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. Johnson had previously allowed two Florida lawmakers to be sworn in during a pro forma session earlier this year, and Democrats claim the refusal in this case is politically motivated: Grijalva could have become the 218th signature on a petition to force a vote on the release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Johnson denies the accusation.

Soon after, Johnson himself—accompanied by Lawler—stepped out of his office and confronted the senators, during which Lawler demanded they “stop this damn madness.” The exchange became emblematic of the frustration gripping Capitol Hill as the government remains paralyzed.

“Tempers are flaring, but it’s not helping,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, a member of the Republican leadership and former House representative. “People are just hunting for YouTube clips.”

Tensions are also rising in the Senate, where negotiations to end the impasse have stalled. A Republican proposal to lift the shutdown in exchange for a vote on health care subsidies was rejected. Additional irritation came from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s remark that “each passing day only makes things better for us.”

Notably, the latest clashes center on the House of Representatives—even though it isn’t in session. On Thursday, Johnson acknowledged the tense atmosphere and defended his decision not to convene meetings until the shutdown ends. “Everything feels personal; emotions are running high. People are frustrated. I’m frustrated, even though I like to think of myself as a patient man,” he said. “So it’s probably best that they’re physically apart right now.”

Republican senators, by contrast, seemed relieved that their more impulsive House colleagues were staying away from Washington. “It’s just further proof that bringing the House back right now is a bad idea. I understand nerves are frayed,” said Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, condemning the behavior of the Arizona Democrats. According to him, “they’re just kids acting like kids,” and idleness in politics “often turns into stupidity.” Capito agreed: “If another four hundred people were wandering the halls with nothing to do, that wouldn’t help anyone.”

Such flare-ups have become almost routine in Congress, especially when sessions drag on without a break. Two years ago, after weeks of chaos following the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, dozens of consecutive meetings led to outright threats. At the time, McCarthy was accused of elbowing a fellow Republican, while Senator Markwayne Mullin challenged the head of the Teamsters union to a fistfight during a hearing.

Now the situation is reversed: the House of Representatives hasn’t convened in more than two weeks, and another week of inactivity appears likely. “Lawler is living proof that some people are losing their minds from idleness,” quipped Senator Peter Welch of Vermont. “By week three, they’ll be having a full siesta.”

Tensions are also spilling into the House chamber, even as the Speaker continues to avoid holding votes. During a pro forma session on Wednesday, shouting erupted again when Republicans ignored Democrats’ attempt to have Grijalva sworn in. Representative Greg Stanton of Arizona led a small group of Democrats demanding recognition from the presiding officer—but the chair, Republican Russ Fulcher of Idaho, swiftly gaveled the session to a close. “This is undemocratic,” Stanton said afterward.

Some lawmakers believe the tensions could escalate further. They recall how, in January 2023, Representative Mike Rogers of Alabama lunged at Matt Gaetz and had to be restrained by colleagues. “The anger’s a little hotter now, but nothing extreme yet,” said Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana. “If it comes to knives, then we can talk about setting a new record.”