CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein stated Monday that the Democratic Party is in its weakest position since the Reagan-Bush era of the 1980s.

Speaking with CNN's Audie Cornish, Brownstein acknowledged that Democrats are struggling to find a clear path forward amid ongoing political battles.

"If you talk to Democrats, you know, they recognize they are in a hole. I mean, the image of the party is probably in a weaker position than at any point since I think the 1980s, the Reagan and George H.W. Bush era," Brownstein said.

The discussion took place as Congress faces a looming government funding deadline set for Friday.

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Cornish noted that Republican lawmakers are seeking ways to offset tax cuts in the federal budget, with Medicaid emerging as a potential target.

Democrats have pushed back against the GOP’s proposed budget, arguing that it includes cuts to both Medicare and Medicaid.

"But if you ask Democrats how they think they are going to come back, there is a debate about, you know, within the party, do you fight on every front or do you focus on the economic issues? And I think most Democrats believe their best chance of kind of getting a second look from the public in 2025 is this debate over the budget," Brownstein explained.

Brownstein pointed out that this is the first time since the 1995-96 budget battle that Republicans have explicitly tied tax cuts—largely benefiting wealthier Americans—to reductions in government programs such as Medicaid.

"You know, this is the first time since that 1995-96 budget when Republicans are explicitly putting two things together in the same budget plans, tax cuts that are aimed primarily at the rich, and cuts in programs and health care programs, particularly Medicaid, that benefit the middle and working class. I mean, if you look at their tax cuts since then, they‘ve been sugar only. They‘ve kept the spinach far away from it," he said.

Brownstein suggested that Democrats are considering making this budget fight a centerpiece of their 2025 strategy, arguing that tying Medicaid cuts to Republican tax cuts for the wealthy could be their best chance at regaining public support.

"And I think if you ask them, as I said, how they think they‘re going to come back, they are probably putting more chips on that number than anything else," he added.

Earlier in the conversation, Brownstein noted that any proposed cuts to Medicare or Medicaid could face resistance from some key Republican voters.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers faced criticism over their disruptive actions during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress.

Some held up signs and wrote live reactions on whiteboards, while Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, stood and shouted about proposed Medicaid cuts before being removed from the chamber.

The protests drew criticism from within their own party.

Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., called the lack of a coordinated response a "mistake," suggesting that Democrats failed to present a unified front in their opposition.

As the government funding deadline approaches, both parties remain locked in debate over budget priorities, with Democrats weighing their next political strategy in the face of mounting challenges.

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