Top Republican Blasts Dem Whip After She Admits Hardworking Americans are ‘Leverage’ in Shutdown Fight [WATCH]

A top House Republican is blasting Democratic leaders after one of their own admitted the quiet part out loud — that the government shutdown is a political “leverage point” to push their healthcare agenda.

“It’s appalling to see the number two House Democrat openly admit that the left is weaponizing hardworking Americans as ‘leverage’ for political gain, even acknowledging families will suffer in the process,” said Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger, R-Texas, in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“This isn’t governance — it’s calculated hostage-taking, with struggling families caught in the balance as Democrats attempt to force through their radical agenda. Families are seen only as leverage by Democrats. We always knew it, now they’re saying it out loud. Absolutely shameful.”

The outrage came after House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., sat down for an interview with Fox News’ Chad Pergram last week and made a stunning admission.

“I mean, shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have,” Clark said.

She went on to call it an “inflection point” in the budget process — blaming Republicans for refusing to meet on healthcare priorities.

“It is an inflection point in this budget process where we have tried to get the Republicans to meet with us and prioritize the American people, and it’s been an absolute refusal, and they were willing to let government shut down when they control the House, the Senate and the White House rather than come and talk about an issue as important to the American people is if they can afford healthcare.”

The shutdown — now in its 23rd day — drags on after Senate Democrats rejected the GOP’s federal funding bill for the 12th time Wednesday night.

For Democrats, it’s “leverage.”
For American families, it’s pain.