Part 10/12:
Republicans have shown flexibility and passed numerous measures; Senate leader John Thune has expressed frustration over Democrats' unwillingness to engage. The speaker accuses Democrats of using the American people as leverage, motivated more by fear and political survival than by effective governance.
In essence, the shutdown only persists because Democrats have made a deliberate choice to keep it that way. The speaker underscores that the entire country awaits a responsible decision from Democrat leaders—just five more Senators willing to prioritize the nation over party politics.