The government shutdown is, at its core, a massive failure to communicate, with Democrats and Republicans talking on completely different frequencies. This was painfully obvious on Wednesday as the Senate went through the motions of rejecting rival funding plans, a process that highlighted how neither side is even hearing, let alone understanding, the other’s position.
The Democrats are broadcasting on the frequency of policy urgency. Their message is entirely about the impending expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and the need to act immediately to protect 20 million Americans. To them, this is the most important signal, and they cannot understand why Republicans are not receiving it.
The Republicans are broadcasting on the frequency of procedural principle. Their message is about the importance of a “clean” funding bill and the danger of allowing one party to hold the government hostage to its agenda. They see this as a fundamental issue of good governance and cannot understand why Democrats are ignoring it.
Because they are on different frequencies, the messages are not getting through. When Senator Chuck Schumer talks about fixing healthcare, Speaker Mike Johnson hears a threat from the “Marxist flank.” When Johnson talks about a clean bill, Democrats hear an attempt to ignore the needs of working families.
This communication breakdown has made negotiation impossible. A compromise from Rep. Jen Kiggans was seen as static by Democratic leaders. Until the two parties find a way to get on the same wavelength, the shutdown will continue to be the sound of static.
