Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is under fire for saying “every day gets better” for Democrats during the government shutdown.
Speaking to Punchbowl News, the New York Democrat explained why he was confident in the Democratic Party’s strategy as the government shutdown winds through its second week with no signs of stopping.
“Every day gets better for us,” Schumer said. “It’s because we’ve thought about this long in advance and we knew that health care would be the focal point on Sept. 30 and we prepared for it … Their whole theory was — threaten us, bamboozle us, and we would submit in a day or two.”
Republicans quickly took issue with Schumer’s comment.
“Better for Schumer. Worse for Americans,” Vice President JD Vance wrote on X. “What a vile sentiment from an alleged leader in our country.”
Better for Schumer. Worse for Americans.
What a vile sentiment from an alleged leader in our country. https://t.co/P9bpss06s1
— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 9, 2025
“While federal workers stress over missed paychecks, military families turn to food pantries, and airports around the country face delays — Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are bragging that ‘every day gets better’ for them,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
While federal workers stress over missed paychecks, military families turn to food pantries, and airports around the country face delays — Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are bragging that “every day gets better” for them.
What a disgusting and revealing statement.
Democrats… pic.twitter.com/OzugEJjSuS
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 9, 2025
“What a disgusting and revealing statement. Democrats are gleeful about inflicting pain on the American people.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-TN) wrote on X that Schumer “said the quiet part out loud, and his comment left more questions than answers.
“Better for us. Who is us? Not our military working without pay. Not law enforcement. Not air traffic controllers,” the senator said.
Schumer is very much aware of the shutdown’s disruptions, publishing a lengthy list on X last night.
It’s now been a full week of Donald Trump’s government shutdown.
700,000+ federal employees furloughed
Disruptions to critical services
Businesses nationwide with government contracts are in peril
Because Donald Trump and the Republicans would rather close the government than…
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 8, 2025
“700,000+ federal employees furloughed, the disruption to critical services, businesses nationwide with government contracts in peril.”
As the shutdown drags on, more and more government services will cease operating. The Daily Wire reported this week that the shutdown has led to massive flight delays and prevented the release of the latest monthly jobs report.
The shutdown could also have a negative impact on the economy as a whole.
“Each week, a shutdown subtracts about 0.1% of annualized GDP growth via reduced government activity,” Chief U.S. economist at J.P. Morgan Michael Feroli said. “For as long as the government shutdown goes on, we will be iterating a little bit blind.”
A growing number of Americans — including active-duty service members — will miss paychecks as the shutdown continues.
Instead of a paycheck, federal employees received a letter to pass along to their lenders and creditors asking for consideration given “the unforeseeable nature of this furlough when making decisions that affect employees finances.”
Lawmakers like Schumer are paid throughout the shutdown.
