Democrats Stalls Government Funding Vote Over Fear of Far-Left Protests

By Newsmax Wires | Wednesday, 08 October 2025 08:20 PM EDT
Senate Republicans accused Democrats of deliberately delaying government funding votes to avoid backlash from progressive activists organizing a nationwide “No Kings” protest.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., told Newsmax on Wednesday that the Democratic Party has been taken over by “Marxists and jihadists,” claiming it is no longer the party of former President John F. Kennedy. “This is extremist,” he said during an interview with Carl Higbie FRONTLINE.

Mullin criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for yielding to pressure from the party’s far-left wing and blocking a clean continuing resolution. He argued that the proposed funding bill is identical to one Democrats approved under former President Joe Biden, with “same language, same numbers.”

“The problem is you have Marxists and jihadists running the Democrat Party today,” Mullin stated. “What’s changed is, in March the party got taken over by this Marxist and jihadist group.”

The shutdown entered its eighth day as both parties blamed each other for the stalemate. Mullin alleged some Democrats privately want to pass the funding bill but fear repercussions from the “No Kings” movement, a coalition opposing former President Donald Trump planning nationwide rallies.

“They’re afraid that if they come out and vote for it before that, they would be chastised and cause themselves a lot of problems,” Mullin said. He added that Schumer could end the impasse by allowing free votes but accused him of political maneuvering. “There’s plenty of Democrats that actually want to reopen the government.”