BOSTON — The state’s all-Democrat congressional delegation continues to blame Republicans for the federal government shutdown as it grinds on into a fourth week.
Lawmakers have been holding town hall meetings and briefings to criticize Republican-backed health care cuts and double down on their demands to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year, in exchange for their support for a temporary spending bill to reopen the government.
But the impasse, now in its third week, has also provided an opportunity for some Democrats as they seek to boost lackluster fundraising ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
Sen. Ed Markey has sent out fundraising pitches over the past two weeks defending his “no” vote on the Republican spending plan and complaining that his fundraising “is way down.”
“That’s a sign to me that some folks are hesitant to contribute when there’s so much uncertainty in our nation and our economy,” Markey wrote in an email to supporters. “And on top of the shutdown, Trump’s tariffs, funding cuts, and billionaire tax giveaways are making prices rise for everyday necessities. That’s why I’m asking today: Give just $5.”
“It may not sound like much when you think about the millions of dollars that will be spent against us in this campaign,” Markey added. “But $5 goes a long way when thousands and thousands of people join together and do their part.
Markey, who is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton, had more than $2.6 million in his campaign account as of Sept. 30, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings. Moulton, who jumped into the race last week, had about $2.1 million available as of Sept. 30, a sizable chunk of it from his previous contributions.
But Markey isn’t the only Democrat making fundraising pitches during the federal shutdown.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley fired off a fundraising pitch Tuesday calling on supporters to sign a letter to the state’s utilities urging them to provide a “payment referral program” for households of federal employees and contractors impacted by the shutdown.
“I know that missing one paycheck can knock down a long line of dominoes, not being able to pay bills on time, having late bills pile up or even having your heat or electricity shut off,” Pressley wrote. “So when I think about all the federal employees and contractors who are being forced to go without pay during the Republican government shutdown, I understand how urgently we must act to support them.”
The email includes a link to Pressley’s online letter to Eversource and other utilities, and below it, a link to the Ayanna Pressley for Congress ActBlue fundraising page.
The federal government shutdown is now the second-longest funding lapse in modern history, stretching into Day 22 on Wednesday.
While some lawmakers have canceled fundraising events during the shutdown, their campaigns are still under pressure to build up war chests ahead of next year’s midterms, when control of Congress will be up for grabs.
The state Republican Party blasted Democrats for using the shutdown to fatten their campaign coffers, urging him to get behind the GOP-backed plan to reopen the government.
“Members of Congress only do their purported cause a disservice by raising money off of the government shutdown,” MassGOP Amy Carnevale said in a statement. “Through his actions, Sen. Markey only furthers the partisan divide in Washington, D.C..”
“Massachusetts Republicans urge Sen. Markey to get back to the business of passing clean, continuing resolutions to reopen the government,” Carnevale said.
Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.