Democrats flood House floor to accuse Republicans of being on ‘vacation’ despite looming shutdown

House Democrats' attempt to call for unanimous consent for a vote on their spending deal proposal was shot down with little drama on the floor during a pro forma session on Tuesday, 12 hours before an impending government shutdown.

Most, if not all, of the Democratic caucus stood on the House floor to ask the chamber to vote on their continuing resolution that would kick the funding deadline for fiscal 2026 until Oct. 31. 

Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) stood at the podium, asking for the presiding speaker to recognize her so she could bring up the continuing resolution. 

The theatrics on the House floor, albeit muted this time around, are the latest in a string of demonstrations by Democrats to show they are in Washington, D.C., ready to work, while Republicans are "on vacation." 

Who is to blame for a shutdown in the eyes of the voters remains to be seen. Several Democrats, including Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), said the blame for any shutdown consequences rests with the GOP trifecta.

"They're the majority in the House. They're the majority in the Senate. They're running the White House," Espaillat said during the caucus leader press conference. "They're controlling every aspect of government. This is their shutdown."