The government shutdown demonstrates the GOP’s inability to govern and hammer out deals with Democrats, holds Jamelle Bouie of Slate. Republicans’ continuous refusal to negotiate and find consensus highlights a lack of leadership from the party that holds Congress, the Senate and the Oval Office. Funding for programs like CHIP, which offers children healthcare, wasn’t addressed when it ran out, so they could force Democrats’ hand by making it part of their spending bill. Paul Ryan’s refusal to engage Democrats in discussion, preferring to validate his own party’s mistrust of them, reflected the GOP’s failure to lead by example.

Democrats are at fault for the government shutdown, writes RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in The Hill. They were extremely petty to risk funding for children’s healthcare and veterans being blocked, just to get their way politically. Republicans had offered a short-term bill that was bipartisan, with legislation that Democrats had supported themselves. They still chose to refuse it, prioritizing DACA recipients, who are illegal aliens, over the many Americans that will suffer because of this shutdown. Chuck Schumer is at fault for going against the people’s interests and refusing to cooperate with Republicans.