Washington Congressman Dan Newhouse blasted Democrats for what he called “deliberate political suffering” during a recent appearance on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI. His comments followed remarks by House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, who admitted that the government shutdown provides “leverage” for Democrats to push their policy goals.
“They’re trying to make people miserable so that way they’ll put pressure on the Republicans to cave,” Hoffman said, noting that Democrats have refused to support a clean continuing resolution to keep the government funded.
Rep. Dan Newhouse: Democrats Using Shutdown to “Make People Miserable” for Political Leverage
Newhouse blasted Democrats for causing “deliberate political suffering” after House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark admitted the shutdown provides “leverage” for her party's policies pic.twitter.com/2ATEXJUy6V
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) October 28, 2025
“It’s just totally disgraceful,” Newhouse replied. “People are starting to wake up to the fact that this is all on the Democrats for one reason: it’s all political.”
“Leverage Through Suffering”
Newhouse pointed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s hesitation to support a GOP-led funding measure earlier this year after backlash from within his own party.
“Schumer’s afraid for his leadership,” Newhouse said. “He’s afraid of a primary. They’re catering to the far left of their base, and it’s not good for the American people.”
The congressman emphasized the human toll of the continued shutdown. “By next weekend, the SNAP program runs out of money, 42 million Americans rely on that, nearly a million in Washington state,” Newhouse warned. “Without those funds, families go without food. And according to Katherine Clark, that’s just ‘leverage.’ It’s unbelievable.”
Democrats “Have No Exit Ramp”
When asked what Democrats hope to achieve, Newhouse said he doesn’t see a clear endgame.
“If you’re going to go into something like this, you’ve got to know when you can declare victory,” he said. “I don’t know what that looks like for them. The clean CR from the House is the only viable option, and they’re blocking it just for politics.”
Energy Hypocrisy in the Pacific Northwest
Switching topics, Newhouse also criticized Democratic leaders over what he called “energy hypocrisy,” warning that efforts to remove the Snake River dams would worsen power shortages in the region.
“The same people who say we have an energy shortage are the ones trying to tear down our cleanest source of power.”
Rep Dan Newhouse (R-WA) criticized Democrats for “energy hypocrisy,” warning that removing the Snake River dams would worsen power shortages in the region. pic.twitter.com/keyuWKjLUg
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) October 28, 2025
“The same people who say we have an energy shortage are the ones trying to tear down our cleanest source of power,” Newhouse said.
He praised those in the renewable energy community who are beginning to acknowledge the need for “baseload energy” such as hydro and nuclear power. “It gives me a little hope,” he said, “but their long-term plan still seems to be eliminating the very sources of electricity that keep us running.”
A Voice for the Northwest
As Washingtonians brace for the darker, colder months ahead, Newhouse reiterated the need for practical, reliable leadership. “To tear down dams, to reduce our electricity supply, it’s so backwards,” he said. “Just like this shutdown strategy, it’s politics over people.”