We’re just two days away from a full-government shutdown and the blame game is in full swing. As both parties appear dug into their demands and unwilling to budge, let’s take a look at how Republicans and Democrats are forecasting their messaging plans for the coming days.
Republicans. For the first time in decades — maybe ever — Republicans are united going into a shutdown.
Senate Republicans will hammer Democrats for “prioritizing far-left demands like taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens over funding the government,” per a source familiar with the party’s plans. Republicans are referring to Democrats’ demands to roll back health care provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The NRSC already attacked Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and House Democrats running for Senate after the lawmakers opposed the House-passed “clean” Nov. 21 CR earlier this month.
Republicans will also highlight the local repercussions of a government shutdown in key swing states and go after Democrats who previously spoke against the dangers of shutdowns. The GOP mission? Convince voters that “Schumer and Senate Democrats like Jon Ossoff own this shutdown.”
The NRCC spent the weekend pounding Democratic Frontliners for “cutting off funding for Head Start programs that serve thousands of children” across their districts. Republicans also claim Democrats are voting for “delays in Medicare and Social Security services, adding stress to seniors who rely on them every single day.”
A recent NRCC digital ad accused Democrats of “sabotage.” The 30-second spot ends with this: “Tell Democrats, don’t hold the government hostage.”
And for once, Republicans — who loved the DOGE-inspired layoffs for tens of thousands of federal workers — are lamenting the looming furloughs for hundreds of thousands of employees.
Dems. Democrats feel confident they can emerge from a shutdown in better political shape.
A DCCC messaging memo forecasts how Democrats are going after Republicans for remaining on recess as a shutdown looms. Plus, the minority party is planning to focus the fight on health care.
“Vulnerable House Republicans allowing health care costs to soar for millions of Americans combined with their decision to skip town provides a clear contrast and sets up a messaging frame that can carry through to next November when Democrats re-take the majority,” the DCCC memo reads.
The health care framing is notable given the concerns expressed by rank-and-file House Democrats earlier this month. We reported on Sept. 9 that House Democrats vented during a private caucus meeting that their health care strategy exuded weakness and was too narrowly tailored.
The DSCC has also leaned into health care. “Senate Republicans would rather shut down the government than stop making health care more expensive for millions of Americans,” the committee wrote in a recent post on X.
It’s worth noting that very few highly vulnerable Senate incumbents are running for reelection. It’s basically Ossoff for Democrats and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) for the GOP. Open Senate races muddy the attack a little, though quite a few Democratic House members are running for Senate.
