Rep. Rob Wittman, R-VA01, was confronted in Washington on Tuesday for holding a fundraiser hours before the government shutdown. He was confronted on video outside of the fundraiser.
The shutdown, which appears likely to occur as Senate Republicans and Democrats , will halt funding services at midnight if no agreement is reached.
“We’re in session today, so we’re working. I’m just here for a short period of time, and then we’re back to work,” Wittman said when he was approached and asked about the fundraiser. The video was posted on social media by Meidas Touch, a left-wing media company.
Republicans in the House passed a spending bill, but Democrats have the ability to demand concessions in the Senate, which includes restoring some funding to Medicaid that was recently cut by the ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’
Witten touted his vote in support of a continuing resolution, which would have continued funding government services, when confronted at the fundraiser.
“The reason we’re here is to make sure we are working to prevent a shutdown,” he said. “So I’ve voted in favor of keeping the government open, voted in favor of a clean CR — I’m very proud of that, so I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and the Senate will find it within their realm to vote to keep the government open.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson directed the Republican caucus not to fundraise during the shutdown.
“He doesn’t want to give Democrats any reason to attack Republicans for having priorities other than averting a shutdown,” Axios reported.
Wittman’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
