Tim Kaine Goes Head-To-Head With … Tim Kaine On Government Shutdown Ethics

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) appears to be at odds with himself over what constitutes acceptable behavior in the event of a government shutdown.

During a Sunday morning broadcast of “Meet the Press,” NBC host Kristen Welker asked Kaine about statements he’d made during a previous government shutdown in 2019 — and pressed him on the fact that he is taking a different — opposite — position just six years later.

WATCH:

NBC plays a clip of @SenTimKaine in 2019 saying he’d only discuss policy after the government is re-opened.

“By your own logic, should Democrats not vote to re-open the government first and negotiate later…?”@SenTimKaine: No it’s different now ???? pic.twitter.com/CdwzHr04on

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 19, 2025

“You know, Senator, back in 2019, you made a similar argument during that shutdown that Republicans are making now,” Welker began. “Republicans at the time were asking for more funding for a border wall. You said, ‘Let’s reopen the government first.'”

Welker went on to play a clip of Kaine from 2019, in which he said, “We first should reopen government. Why punish people who are applying for food stamps because the president is having a temper tantrum? Open the government first …”

“So Senator, by your own logic, should Democrats not vote to re-open the government first and negotiate later?” Welker asked.

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“Kristen, here’s what’s different now,” Kaine replied. “The president told Republicans to write this budget without any Democratic involvement.”

Kaine left out the fact that the Continuing Resolution currently on the table — which would at least temporarily reopen the government — is considered “clean,” meaning that it makes no changes from the previous spending levels.

Democrats have been holding out largely because they object to certain cuts made in the Big Beautiful Bill — most notably to provisions that would have allowed illegal immigrants to get health care at taxpayer expense.

It’s right there on paper.

Democrats are fighting for healthcare for illegal aliens, NOT the American people. https://t.co/HIRQyu9lZK pic.twitter.com/qaj4KGzBIj

— GOP (@GOP) October 2, 2025

Kaine is not the only Democrat who’s been confronted with his own previous statements on government shutdowns either. “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan (CBS) pressed Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) about his previous comments — namely that government shutdowns should not be “used for hostage taking.”

“Aren’t you doing today exactly what you were criticizing then?” she asked.

*plays clip from 2018 where @ChrisMurphyCT says government shutdowns should never be used for hostage-taking*

CBS: “Aren’t you doing today exactly what you were criticizing then…?”

Murphy: Erm, no.

(example number one million of @ChrisMurphyCT being a sleazy moron) pic.twitter.com/ygJC4IdZyo

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 12, 2025