Belem, Brazil – California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced his concern about a group of senators who sided with Republicans to end the government shutdown. He suggested they may not fully grasp the changes in politics.
Speaking at the COP30 UN Climate Conference in Brazil, Newsom expressed his surprise that some politicians are still using old strategies, even though President Trump has changed how the game is played.
Newsom was responding to a question about the decision of seven Democrats and one independent senator to join Republicans in passing a bill to reopen the government. This move brought an end to the shutdown, but it also drew criticism from other Democrats. They felt that these senators gave in to the GOP without getting anything important in return, like keeping healthcare help going.
Before the vote, Newsom’s office posted online that the deal was a “surrender.” After the senators voted with Republicans, Newsom called their actions a “betrayal of working Americans.”
Some of the senators who voted to end the shutdown are retiring soon, and others used to be governors. They have said that the deal wasn’t perfect, but it was needed to end the shutdown. The shutdown caused problems for many people, including missed paychecks, stops in food aid, and travel issues.
Newsom also talked about his own efforts to stand up to what he sees as the other party’s overreach, such as using social media and supporting the passing of U.S. House maps for California to counter efforts by the other side to do the same for Republicans in other states. He said he is more worried about the future of the country than some members of his own party seem to be.
The previous administration did not send an official group to the COP30 in Brazil. Newsom is expected to meet with leaders from some of the many countries that are at the conference.
