Rep. Mann frustrated by Democrats during shutdown, optimistic for Israel-Hamas peace
As the partial U.S. government shutdown enters its second week, finger-pointing in Washington, D.C. continues between Republicans and Democrats.
Congressman Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) criticized Democrats for prolonging the shutdown and said in an interview on News Radio KMAN Thursday morning that a handful of party members are standing in the way of restored operations and preventing federal workers and service members from receiving pay.
“You just really need a handful, call it five Democrat senators, to agree to reopen the government,” he said. “It’s very frustrating that a very small group of Democrat senators are really pandering to their left base. They despise the president.”
Democrats in Congress are seeking to extend health care tax credits permanently as part of a bargaining chip to Republicans, who have said they will not discuss health policy as part of a bill to reopen the government.
As the shutdown lingers, Mann said federal workers remain caught in the middle, working without pay. President Donald Trump suggested that some federal workers may not receive back pay, which some lawmakers have decried as illegal. Mann said federal employees will be paid.
“They will receive back pay when this finally gets resolved, but that’s no consolation to folks who are trying to pay their bills and relying on being paid for the work that they’ve done by the government here next week,” he said.
Mann has proposed extending government funding through Nov. 17 as a short-term fix, buying lawmakers more time to resolve fiscal year 2026 spending levels.
Israel-Hamas peace deal
Mann also remained cautiously optimistic that all Israeli hostages would be released, potentially as early as Monday.
This comes after Trump announced Israel and Hamas had agreed to a 20-point plan, the first phase of a potential peace deal.
“It seems like both sides are finally coming together, but without question, we would not be talking about potential peace in Gaza and an end to this war, if it wasn’t for President Trump’s direct involvement,” he said.
Mann said he’s hopeful the region can begin to heal.
“And then the question becomes, ‘What does rebuilding look like?’ but that’s many steps down the future,” he said. “We ought to be praying for the Middle East and for peace and hoping that this holds.”