Senate Democrats caused the federal government to shut down this week when they refused to pass a continuing resolution which would have guaranteed funding until November 21.

Vice President J.D. Vance pointed out how Democrats like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have opposed prior shutdowns, a point which journalist Geoff Bennett vindicated. 

Bennett: Vice president is "not wrong" about Democrats' prior stance

According to Breitbart, Bennett's remarks came when House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries made a Wednesday appearance on "PBS NewsHour."

"The Vice President also said today that Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, for years, have made the point that you don’t shut down the government over policy disagreements," Bennett told Jeffries.

"I have covered enough government shutdowns to know that he’s not wrong about that," the host continued before asking, "Why do Democrats see this moment differently?"

"Well, we haven’t shut down the government. Republicans have shut down the government," the New York congressman alleged in response.

Video montage shows multiple Democrats voicing opposition to shutdowns

Bennett's acknowledgment came roughly a week after House Speaker Mike Johnson released a video montage of Democrats speaking out against shutdowns in the past.

"Under President Biden, Democrats insisted we must keep the government open," the House speaker wrote in a social media post on September 22.

Under President Biden, Democrats insisted we must keep the government open.

Now under President Trump they’re saying the opposite.

Last week every single House Democrat but one voted to SHUT DOWN the government.

WATCH Democrats in their own words explain how damaging that is. pic.twitter.com/RNPNpCqheX

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) September 22, 2025

"Now under President Trump they’re saying the opposite. Last week every single House Democrat but one voted to SHUT DOWN the government," Johnson pointed out.

Schumer warned last year that a shutdown would harm "average Americans"

One clip featured Jeffries himself highlighting the negative consequences of a possible shutdown last year, saying, "Families will be hurt. Farmers will be hurt."

A similar message was expressed by Schumer, who could be seen voicing condemnation of "hard-right Republicans" and "MAGA radicals."

"If the government shuts down, it will be average Americans who suffer most," Schumer asserted before adding that "[a] government shutdown means seniors who rely on Social Security could be thrown into chaos."

Meanwhile, New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated in 2019, "It is not normal to shut down the government when we don’t get what we want."