Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sparred with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Wednesday evening at a NewsNation town hall held at the Kennedy Center, where the two lawmakers debated the causes of the ongoing government shutdown and other legislative issues, as reported by the Gateway Pundit.

During the discussion, Khanna argued that Democrats could not be responsible for the shutdown since Republicans hold the presidency and majorities in both chambers of Congress.

Jan. 11, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) during The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement hearing “The Impact of Illegal Immigration on Social Services,” looking at how the Biden border crisis overwhelms American communities schools, hospitals, emergency services, law enforcement, and other social services on Jan. 11, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

“You know why nobody believes this Chuck Schumer thing? The country thinks he’s too ineffective to actually be shutting things down,” Khanna said.

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“Does anyone believe that the Democrats are actually like running things? You got Donald Trump, you got the Republicans in the Senate. So the idea that the Democrats are just blocking things is just unbelievable!”

Jordan responded by pointing out the Senate’s legislative structure, reminding Khanna that passing a bill requires 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.

“To get something passed in the Senate, you need 60 votes,” Jordan said. “The first guest on Chris’s show (Fetterman) is one of those Democrats who voted with Republicans. But they need five more. You’ve got to understand basic civics, how Congress works.”

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The exchange came as the government shutdown entered its second week following failed attempts to pass funding legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer led Democrats in rejecting the GOP-backed “clean” bill that focused on keeping essential services funded while addressing immigration and spending concerns. That measure failed in a 55–45 vote, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) joining Democrats.

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The Democratic proposal, which included additional spending measures, tax increases, and funding expansions for programs tied to transgender medical services, also failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to break a filibuster.

Jordan’s comments served as a reminder that even with a Republican president and congressional majorities, Democrats can still block legislation in the Senate using procedural rules they once sought to abolish.

Khanna, who has served in Congress since 2017, did not address the filibuster during the exchange. Jordan noted that Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who also appeared earlier in the evening, supported keeping the government open and had voted with Republicans on one of the failed measures.

The debate underscored the legislative impasse that has continued in Washington, with both parties trading blame for the shutdown. As of Wednesday night, no new vote had been scheduled to resolve the standoff.

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