Democrats Respond to Sasse Interruption of Democratic Caucus

By Kaitlan Collins (Brooke Lynch)

Last Thursday, October 6th, at the Washington Cocktail Party, Senator Ben Sasse (Joshua Hernandez) interrupted the Democratic Caucus as they were conducting speeches for their party leaders. Senator Sasse was forcibly escorted out of the caucus which caused Sasse to begin hurling insults at the Democrats.

After being forced out of the caucus, Sasse began condemning the Democrats, stating “They are cheering and they are laughing in a time of high inflation for American families and I am not gonna sit here and stand for it.”

Beforehand, Senator Sasse had spent the majority of the cocktail party speaking with Democratic senators on future bi-partisan legislation. Later in the night, Senator Sasse went on to say he would “pass legislation that the Democrats hate” after he was escorted out of the Democratic caucus.

Labor lobbyist Sam Cooperman was the one to forcibly escort Sasse out of the caucus. When asked to comment on the situation he responded by stating “all I will say is that I thought it was rather rude to interrupt the Democratic caucus as we were talking about majority positions.”

After receiving a comment from Senator Sasse on his intentions, another dispute ensued between Sasse and Cooperman. Sasse stated he “had no regrets” for interfering with the caucus. Cooperman then interrupted Sasse, rhetorically asking “What did you do?” and then proceeding to state Sasse “rudely interrupted the Democratic caucus while we were talking about majority leadership positions.” Another lobbyist, oil lobbyist Fiona Jordan, intervened stating she thought Sasse “was just simply expressing curiosity.”

When inquired later over what he was trying to accomplish, Sasse stated he interrupted the caucus because he wanted to “condemn them for loudly cheering and clapping when our country is at an inflection point in its history…What are they celebrating? Their own power? They sure as heck can’t be celebrating the state that our country is in, that’s for sure.”

Senator Sasse was elected Minority Whip for the Republican party on Friday during party meetings. He ensures to both Republicans and Democrats that he still intends to work closely with Democratic Party as “any logical Minority Whip would, regardless of grievances.”

Some Democrats that Sasse spoke with about legislation include Senators Padilla (Rebeca Perez), King (Tyler Hawes), and Klobuchar (Caprice Kashfian). Here’s how they reacted to the incident:

Senator Padilla called Sasse’s interruption “just plain disrespectful.” Padilla went on to express, “it shocked me that a member of Congress would disrupt an important meeting of the opposing party after he had said he was committed to working in a bipartisan manner.” When questioned if Padilla was still interested in working with Senator Sasse on bi-partisan legislation, Padilla responded, “despite Sasse’s actions and comments, we must rise above any attacks or disruptions and put aside our pride to do our best work for the American people. This is not to say that I will love or support all the legislation Sasse puts out, but I am still committed to working with him, and any other Republican, on legislation that I believe will serve the American people.”

Senator King indicated he still intends to work with Sasse, stating, “As President Pro Tempore, I am committed to reading all bills from an equal standpoint. Those which address pertinent issues and are more substantive than mere messaging bills can expect serious consideration.”

Senator Klobuchar declined to comment on the situation.