Senator Bernie Sanders engaged in a heated exchange with a Republican college student during a CNN town hall on Wednesday night, defending Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer amid mounting criticism over the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 16th day.

The confrontation took place when Rohan Naval, a student from American University and an intern with Americans for Tax Reform, challenged Sanders on Schumer’s handling of the funding standoff that has left much of the federal government partially closed.

The exchange came as public frustration grows over what has been widely described as the “Schumer Shutdown,” a political stalemate that has delayed federal paychecks and essential services nationwide.

“Senator Sanders, how do you think the Schumer Shutdown reflects on the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer?” Naval asked.

Sanders quickly shifted the blame to Republicans, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump.

“Well, I think it reflects more on Mike Johnson’s leadership and President Trump’s leadership,” Sanders responded.

“This is a leadership that said it’s okay to give a… well, how do you feel? You tell me. You think it’s a good idea to give $1 trillion in tax breaks to the richest people in the country and then make massive cuts to healthcare for working-class people?”

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Naval pushed back, citing Schumer’s voting record on previous spending measures. “I think Chuck Schumer has voted for continuing resolutions 13 times in the last four years, and he has the opportunity to vote for one again, but he’s refusing to come to the table,” Naval said.

Crazy Bernie just got wrecked on national television 🤣 pic.twitter.com/G5Emm2gY6v

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 16, 2025

Sanders countered by arguing that Republicans were responsible for the deadlock.

“I think… look, as I have said, there are 53 Republicans in the Senate, correct? They need 60. What does that mean? It means you have to talk to the other side. Mike Johnson is not talking. John Thune is not talking. President Trump is not talking. That is the problem.”

The exchange highlighted growing partisan tensions as both parties seek to avoid blame for the funding lapse.

Democrats have accused Republicans of holding up the process by refusing to fund an Obamacare expansion in the GOP-led spending bill, while Republicans point to Schumer’s refusal to compromise on healthcare policy demands.

The funding measure, which would have extended government operations through the next fiscal year, failed in the Senate last week after Democrats filibustered the bill. Republicans say the legislation would have maintained essential services and protected military pay while negotiations continued.

As the shutdown drags on, reports indicate that federal agencies are struggling to sustain basic operations.

Thousands of federal workers have missed paychecks, and programs ranging from small business loans to national park services have been disrupted.

Meanwhile, comments by Schumer have intensified criticism of Democratic leadership.

Speaking to Punchbowl News earlier this week, Schumer appeared to celebrate the political fallout of the shutdown, suggesting it benefited his party.

“Every day gets better for us,” Schumer reportedly said.

“It’s because we’ve thought about this long in advance, and we knew that healthcare would be the focal point on Sept. 30, and we prepared for it… Their whole theory was — threaten us, bamboozle us, and we would submit in a day or two.”

Republicans have seized on Schumer’s remarks as evidence that Democrats are prioritizing political gain over governance.

Week 3 of the Schumer Shutdown:

“Every day gets better for us.” pic.twitter.com/1qeNKhvcfI

— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) October 17, 2025

With no agreement in sight, the Senate is not expected to reconvene until Monday.

Negotiations between both chambers have stalled as Schumer continues to demand the inclusion of healthcare-related provisions in any stopgap funding measure.

The standoff marks one of the longest shutdowns in recent U.S. history.

Both sides face increasing pressure from the public to reach a resolution as the fiscal standoff enters its third week.