Talks between Republicans and Democrats collapsed Monday in a last attempt to avoid a government shutdown. Vice President J.D. Vance and House Majority Leader Mike Johnson accused Democrats of hypocrisy, saying they were “taking hostages” during negotiations. Democrats, meanwhile, argued Republicans would bear the blame if the government shut down.

Vance insisted a shutdown was looming because of what he called unreasonable Democratic demands. “Don’t threaten the American people with a gun and say, ‘We’re going to shut down your government unless you do exactly what Senate and House Democrats want,’” he said.

He criticized Democrats’ original proposal for a $1.5 trillion spending package, claiming it would direct hundreds of billions of dollars to health care for illegal immigrants while many Americans struggle with medical bills. Republicans, he argued, refused such terms and were now being unfairly portrayed as obstructionists.

The vice president added that Democrats were using shutdown threats to pressure the GOP into conceding on spending priorities. “We think it’s completely wrong,” Vance said. “They’re trying to force us to accept things we know are bad for the country.”

Shutdown fights, he argued, had become a predictable political circus. Democrats, he said, have mastered the art of blaming Republicans no matter which party blocked or pushed a proposal.

Johnson directed his criticism at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, calling their counterproposal wasteful. “They’re trying to bring in things that don’t matter,” Johnson said.

According to Johnson, Democrats sought $1.5 trillion in new spending, including benefits for illegal immigrants, media subsidies, and $500 million in additional funding. He said Republicans could not support such measures.

“We’ve faced 13 shutdown threats during the Biden administration,” Johnson said. “When we were in the minority, we kept the government running. All we’re asking Democrats to do is the same.”