They’re Using the American People for Leverage: A Critique

Sen. Mullin: “They’re Using the American People for Leverage”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin expressed sharp criticism of Democratic leaders this week, accusing them of using struggling American families as “leverage for political gain” amid the ongoing government funding standoff.

Appearing on America’s Newsroom with hosts Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer, Mullin discussed the far-reaching impact of the federal government shutdown and the stalled negotiations over a continuing resolution (CR) that would reopen essential services. He warned that programs such as SNAP (food assistance), Head Start, and even military pay could soon be disrupted if Congress fails to reach agreement.

SNAP Benefits and Oklahoma Families

Mullin, who is of Cherokee descent, reflected personally on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s importance to Oklahoma families, particularly in rural and tribal areas.

“When I was younger and we had seven of us kids at home, we were on what they called commodities, which is a form of the SNAP program,” he said. “It’s a helping hand for a lot of people in rural areas and reservations that may not have the same economic opportunities as metropolitan areas.”

Roughly 0.8 percent of Oklahomans rely on SNAP benefits, Mullin noted, adding that even this small share represents thousands of families who depend on timely federal assistance. He said it is “ridiculous” that political leaders are, in his view, exploiting those families’ anxiety to gain leverage at the negotiating table.

Quoting a recent comment from House Democrat Kathleen Clark—who reportedly said the party understands families are suffering but views this as their “only leverage point”—Mullin said:

“They’re using American people for leverage because of political gain. We’re not talking about policy. There’s no policy discussion here. This is all about leverage for political purposes.”

A Fight Over a “Clean CR”

Mullin argued that Republicans are not demanding new policy concessions but simply want the Senate to pass a “clean” continuing resolution identical to one Majority Leader Chuck Schumer previously supported.

“The only thing we’re asking them to do is reopen the government on a clean CR that Chuck Schumer wrote when he was leader of the Senate back in September,” Mullin said. “They’ve already voted for it multiple times — in September, December, January, and March. What’s changed is the political environment.”

According to the senator, Democratic leadership is bowing to pressure from its political base to keep the government closed and shift blame onto Republicans and the White House.

“Their base demanded that they shut down the government,” he said, “and now they’re trying to pin it on Republicans or the president. But American people aren’t fools, even if they’re treated like they are.”

The Economic Context: “Bidenomics”

Mullin linked the debate over food-aid programs to the broader economy, arguing that inflation under the Biden administration forced more Americans onto assistance.

“You had inflation at 9.4 percent as a high when Biden was in office. You had take-home pay drop and prices soar,” he said. “President Trump brought the economy back, and as manufacturing jobs return with livable wages, you’ll see those programs become less needed.”

Essential Services and Military Pay

Beyond SNAP, the senator voiced concern over stalled funding for air traffic control, Head Start programs, and federal workers. He cited Senate colleagues, including J.D. Vance, who said the government can continue paying troops “for now” but warned of shortfalls in other areas if the impasse continues.

Mullin explained why the president cannot simply reallocate funds to cover all programs.

“Within the Department of War we always give flexibility … but through the USDA and SNAP, it’s a line-item appropriation,” he said. “They cannot move funds in those areas unless Congress gives consent.”

Stalemate in the Senate

Negotiations between the parties have been frozen for more than a week, Mullin said, with Democrats demanding roughly $1.5 trillion in spending to reopen the government and restore what he described as “fraud, waste, and abuse” previously cut.

“They even want to give illegal immigrants health care again,” he claimed. “That’s not a talking point — that’s literally what they’re asking for.”

The senator emphasized that even the union representing federal employees — typically aligned with Democrats — has urged party leaders to “get to the table” and approve the stop-gap measure.

“We could solve this whole problem in five minutes,” Mullin said. “If they would just vote for the clean CR they wrote, essential employees would be paid, SNAP would continue, and the government would reopen.”

Looking Ahead

As the standoff drags on, anxiety grows among families dependent on federal benefits, while lawmakers trade blame over who is responsible for the shutdown. Mullin’s remarks underscore the deep partisan divide on Capitol Hill — and the human cost of political brinkmanship.

For now, Oklahoma’s junior senator is standing firm:

“This shouldn’t be about leverage,” he said. “It should be about leadership.”