09/26/2025
Moreno Rips Democrats as 'Completely Nuts' Amid Looming Shutdown Battle
Ohio Senator Vows Spending Cuts If Funding Standoff Shuts Down Government—Blames Schumer's Tactics for Crisis
OTTAWA, Ohio— U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) called Democrats "completely nuts" during brief remarks at a VIP gathering before the Putnam County Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, warning that a government shutdown could lead to deep spending cuts as lawmakers clash over federal funding.
Speaking Thursday alongside Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Moreno outlined the impasse ahead of Monday's return to Washington. He said House Republicans offered a clean continuing resolution to extend funding for six weeks at current levels set under former President Joe Biden—a compromise conservatives dislike but accept temporarily. "Already a huge compromise because we're giving them Biden's current spending," Moreno said.
Democrats countered with demands for $1.4 trillion in new spending, including $80 billion for USAID that Republicans cut, rescinding other reductions, providing health care to illegals and funding transgender surgeries, according to Moreno.
President Donald Trump has highlighted the Democrats' push to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies to illegal immigrants.
The standoff comes amid Republican efforts to pass the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025 in the U.S. House, which would automatically continue funding at prior-year levels during lapses in appropriations to prevent shutdowns, while requiring members of Congress to remain in Washington until a deal is reached.
The bipartisan-backed bill aims to end the cycle of funding crises that both parties have blamed on the other—though Republicans argue it counters Democrat tactics of delaying negotiations to force spending increases.
Meanwhile, President Trump's administration issued a memo directing federal agencies to prepare for mass firings if a shutdown occurs, a move Democrats call "mafia-style blackmail" but Republicans frame as necessary to pressure concessions and to stop the use of a threat of government shutdown to increase appropriations when voters are clamoring for lower government spending.
Trump has accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY) of "political extortion" by linking funding to Democratic priorities, deepening the risk of a shutdown by Tuesday midnight.
Moreno said Republicans already funded key areas like the border, ICE and the military. "If you shut the government down, you know what we're going to do? We're going to get some real cuts in government spending," he said. "And if we don't reopen the parts of the government that cost us money, that doesn't sound like a bad idea either."
Ohio’s senior senator, who won his seat in 2024, urged supporters to block former opponent Sherrod Brown (who will run against Ohio’s junior Republican Senator Jon Husted in 2026) from returning to D.C.
Moreno's comments echo his support for permanent cuts if the shutdown drags on, blaming Democrats for rejecting the House-passed stopgap.
As the Sept. 30 deadline nears, the White House is amplifying pressure with OMB Director Russ Vought advocating workforce reductions. Democrats, including Schumer, vow to hold firm on health care demands.
