Senator John Kennedy Bluntly Assesses Senate Gridlock Over Health Care and Government Shutdown

In a candid interview, Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, offered a frank—and at times darkly humorous—assessment of the ongoing government shutdown and the stalemate over health care reform.

The conversation opened with a discussion about Senator John Thune’s unusually heated engagement with Democrats. Kennedy dismissed the drama, saying, “I don’t pay much attention unless somebody gets stabbed, then I’ll pay attention.” He described the situation as a soap opera, quipping that if he had to name it, he’d call it “As the Stomach Turns.”

Now on day 29 of the shutdown, Kennedy expressed little optimism for a quick resolution. “It’s not going to end until enough senators take their egos out back and shoot them,” he said. “So far, that hasn’t happened, and I do not see an offramp.” Even if the Senate reached a compromise on health care, Kennedy doubted it could pass the House. He criticized Senator Schumer for making demands that were, in Kennedy’s words, “so far out there, it’s hard for him to get back off that limb.”

Kennedy acknowledged that the American public is likely fed up with both parties, remarking, “A pox on both our houses—and I can’t blame them.”

The discussion shifted to the impact of the shutdown on SNAP benefits, which millions rely on in Louisiana. Kennedy said he doesn’t want to see Americans go hungry and believes the SNAP issue may increase pressure to resolve the impasse. However, he insisted that any deal reached in the Senate would still have to be sold to House Republicans, and he wouldn’t vote just because the majority leader told him to.

Kennedy advocated for reopening the government and having an honest discussion about fixing the Affordable Care Act, citing skyrocketing premiums as evidence that the system is not working. “We need to fix it or start over and do something else,” he said, but again emphasized that progress will only come when “people take their egos out back and shoot them.”

Addressing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s criticism that Republicans lack a clear health care plan, Kennedy defended her right to speak out but explained that leadership hesitates to share details due to inevitable leaks. He outlined several ideas under consideration, including association health plans, bringing back high-risk pools, and offering high-deductible insurance to young, healthy individuals. Kennedy criticized insurance companies for profiting from government subsidies, arguing that this is another area ripe for reform.

Kennedy concluded with a wry observation: “We’re kind of like kids now in the back of a minivan fighting. It’s not a good look.” He joked that this behavior is “why the aliens lock their doors when they fly past Earth.”

Senator Kennedy’s honest, if somewhat bleak, assessment underscores the deep divisions and ego clashes that continue to stall progress in Washington—leaving millions of Americans waiting for solutions.