GOP Senator Predicts Deadline for Government Shutdown to End

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin believes the federal government shutdown could end this week as Democrats look for an “exit ramp.”

During an interview on Fox News, Mullin told host Kellyanne Conway that he believes the government shutdown will likely end after Tuesday’s elections, estimating it to reopen either Wednesday or Thursday.

“Where they went through the rally they realize that their base was only more dog in so now. What the Democrats are literally tell us telling us this. They plan on shut, open it back out, probably Wednesday or Thursday after the after the the election after they elect a communist in New York to be the mayor after the New Jersey’s governor toro race, Virginia governor’s race they’re, going to come out, they’re going to look for an exit ramp because they know their lose and shoot,” Mullin predicted.

“Even CNN’s polls are showing that the that this isn’t good for them. They, they American people, have already been exposed to. You know Congress, one Clark or congresswoman Clark by saying that this is a leverage point for them. He had yeah Chuck Schumer saver days, getting better for them,” Mullin said.

“Head, centered or coons from Delaware goes out and says it’s uncomfortable. But it’s leverage point in even Bernie Sanders goes out and says they can’t open it back up because they lose leverage, but they also know that need to exit ramps,” he continued.

Mullin added, “So after the election, Kelly and they’re going to come out in at that point, you’re going to go out there and well that they’re gonna take the high road, they’re going to try spinning and on President Trump and the Republicans and after they get on talk in their way. Out of, I don’t know themselves, they’re gonna, eventually open it up, probably Thursday, I’d say midday.”

Notable elections that day include the New York City mayoral race and gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia.

Proposition 50 is on the ballot in California, which concerns the Democrats’ proposed redistricting map.

“My opinion is: They’re setting everything up for this week. They know they’ve got to get out,” Mullins said.

He continued, “If they do it before Tuesday, then their base may not show up because it looks like they caved,” noting that Election Day is going to be a real marker for negotiations.

“That’s why they’re setting everything up to open next week. We’ll be open Wednesday, or Wednesday night, or Thursday,” he said.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien on Thursday called for an immediate end to the government shutdown, warning that the standoff is hurting the U.S. aviation industry and working families across the country.

Standing outside the West Wing of the White House, O’Brien was joined by Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in urging Congress — particularly Senate Democrats — to “end the shutdown” and pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government.

O’Brien, who leads the 1.4 million-member International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has recently cast himself as an independent force in national politics, breaking from both parties when he believes workers are being used as leverage.

“We took a position three weeks ago,” O’Brien said. “Pass a clean CR, get to the table, negotiate a deal. Do not put working people in the middle of a problem. They should not be in there.”

He said the shutdown’s impact goes far beyond politics, noting that thousands of working families are already feeling the strain of missed paychecks and halted operations.

“And we have got to think about the families that are going to be affected,” O’Brien said. “Think about when you have to tell your son or daughter they can’t play sports because you’re not getting paid. Think about when you can’t pay your mortgage. Think about when you can’t pay your tuition.”

The union chief’s remarks came as the shutdown entered its second month, with SNAP benefits paused and air traffic control staffing stretched thin.