Senate Chaplain Barry Black's prayers are an excellent finger on the pulse of progress made during government shutdowns. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Black is a parliamentary pastor offering ecumenical intercessions in search of a shutdown solution.
The shutdown impasse deepened since Black’s initial invocation more than three weeks ago. But after days of political posturing and inaction by the Congressional laity, Black unloaded on his Senate flock Monday.
"When our children and grandchildren want to know what we were doing in the 119th Congress during the famous shutdown, may we not have to give these answers: ‘I helped set a new record for keeping the government closed. I failed to appeal to the better angels of my nature. I forgot Matthew 7:12, which states, do to others whatever you would like them to do to you,’" prayed Black. "Lord, remind our lawmakers that no gold medals are given for breaking shutdown records. But a crown of righteousness is given to those who take care of the lost, last and least."
Black’s sizzling sermons from the Senate pulpit are canon during times of crisis. He delivered similar prayers during the lengthy government shutdowns of 2013 and 2018-19.
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"Enough is enough," prayed Black during the 2013 shutdown after death payments to the families of deceased U.S. soldiers ceased. "Cover our shame with the robe of your righteousness."
After U.S. Capitol Police officers were injured following a high-speed chase and shooting at the Capitol – all while not being paid in the middle of that shutdown – Black chastised lawmakers in his prayer.
"Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable," prayed Black.
Black says his prayers are to God. But his position in the Senate grants him special status. Not every pastor enjoys the benefit (or pressure) of a 100-senator audience. That’s to say nothing of those watching across the country on C-SPAN.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., was one of multiple lawmakers to wax profane in their rhetoric. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The usually genial Thune excoriated Democrats during a heated floor exchange on SNAP.
"This isn't a political game! These are real people's lives that we're talking about!" thundered Thune. "And you all have just figured out that 29 days in there might be some consequences? That there’s people running out of money?"
That said – or yelled – Thune has long told Democrats he’s willing to engage them on their healthcare demands.
But with a caveat.
"You want to have discussion about healthcare? Open the government. Let’s do it," said Thune.
At least one Democrat is willing to take that offer.
"I think what's a very fair deal is open the government and let's just vote on extending these premiums for a year or more," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., on Fox.
But Democrats insist they’re not caving.
"There are zero cracks on the Democratic side," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, suggests Veterans Day as a likely "D-Day," adding, "that's when you're going to break the system." (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
"I think Veterans Day is probably D-Day," said Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio. "And that's when you're going to break the system."
"I think it's going to happen next week," predicted Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
"Why?" asked yours truly.
"Just because the carnage is piling up and Democrats are getting hurt more than they're being helped," replied Graham.
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It’s unclear if that compels lawmakers to re-open the government. There’s now pressure in the air – and on the ground – to re-open the government. Multiple airlines and the Teamsters demanded that Congress pass the GOP’s bill to fund the government.
To Graham’s point, next week represents the shutdown’s most significant inflection point yet, which could potentially force lawmakers to come around. SNAP benefits running out. A second missed paycheck. Worry about the airlines. It’s an "opportunity." But only that. Those "opportunities" will soon multiply.
Barry Black will likely continue his daily invocations to end the shutdown. And only the Almighty knows when the shutdown will end.
But until then, operations of the federal government are limping along.
On a wing. And a prayer.
Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/shutdown-seen-pulpit-inching-along-wing-prayer