Kennedy says Schumer ‘gambled and lost’ on government shutdown deal

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., gave his ideas on what he sees as a rift throughout the Democratic Get together in an interview Thursday on “Will Cain Nation” amid the fallout from the longest authorities shutdown in U.S. historical past.

In keeping with the senator from Louisiana, one of many penalties of the shutdown is the potential political upheaval throughout the Democratic Get together, which is able to find yourself on the toes of Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer.

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“Senator Schumer gambled and he misplaced,” Kennedy mentioned. “He is strolling round now, trying like a person who simply misplaced his baggage.”

“I feel his testicles are on backorder from China,” he added.

Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP Picture)

The facility battle, he mentioned, is between what he known as the celebration’s “Bolshevik wing” and outdated guard politicians like Schumer. Schumer, Kennedy mentioned, understands the “crazies” inside his celebration, however is “afraid of them.”

The celebration’s “socialist” wing, in response to Kennedy, is led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. The people-like senator acknowledged AOC’s media prowess, however argued that she doesn’t have a lot to supply on the coverage entrance.

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“The congressman is a creation of the media,” he mentioned.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., talks to reporters exterior the U.S. Capitol about member security following the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Thursday, September 11, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photos)

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‘I’ve by no means heard anybody describe her as a coverage knowledgeable. My expertise along with her is that whenever you scratch the floor, you simply get extra floor.”

Kennedy additionally proposed concepts to cease shutdowns sooner or later: no fee for members of Congress whereas the federal government isn’t open.

One other concept he instructed was to make sure that members of Congress stayed “inside 100 miles of Washington DC” throughout a shutdown.

Senate Republicans had been unwilling to go “nuclear” with the filibuster throughout the federal government shutdown, even though Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D. earlier this 12 months pushed to vary the principles for nominees. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photos)

“In case you do this, the shutdowns, if there are any, shall be very quick,” Kennedy mentioned. “Now I am unable to go the second provision, however I feel I can go the supply that claims none of us can receives a commission throughout a shutdown.”

Kennedy mentioned he didn’t take any of his pay through the shutdown.

Fox Information host Will Cain additionally requested the Louisiana senator for his ideas on the filibuster, a buzzword that got here up time and again through the 43-day shutdown.

A filibuster is a tactic used to stop the Senate from finishing its work by a small group – or typically even only one – of senators. To override a filibuster, a celebration wants 60 votes.

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“The president known as me final week – he is dug in like a tick into eliminating the filibuster. I advised him I just like the filibuster; I did not once I first got here to the Senate,” Kennedy mentioned. “However the job of a senator, I’ve discovered, is not only to advertise good concepts, but in addition to kill dangerous concepts.”

He went on to mirror on what he mentioned had been “all of the dangerous concepts” proposed throughout former President Joe Biden’s time period in workplace, saying they might all be legal guidelines now if there have been no filibuster.

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President Donald Trump repeatedly urged Republicans to ditch the filibuster through the shutdown, saying they need to use what he known as the “nuclear choice.”

Watch Will Cain’s full interview with Senator John Kennedy and extra “Will Cain Land” on YouTube and WillCainCountry.com.