U.S. military personnel seem to be bearing the brunt of the federal government shutdown, but that didn’t stop House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi from inviting House Democrats to dinner Saturday night.
The Democrat caucus gathered at Acqua al 2, a Capital Hill Italian restaurant, to presumably celebrate the shutdown, aptly dubbed “Schumer’s Shutdown” by the White House after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer refused to agree on a stopgap funding measure.
Politico’s Jake Sherman tweeted news of the get-together that marked the first full day of the shutdown:
PELOSI hosting a dinner for all House Dems tonight at aqua al 2…..
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 20, 2018
Filling in the gaps, The Hill’s Scott Wong shared the gathering’s bill of fare:
On the menu at Pelosi’s dinner at Acqua al 2: cheeses and meats, pasta, lots of wine and for dessert … cheesecake with strawberry drizzle & tiramisu https://t.co/SWDiKUuANL
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) January 21, 2018
The audacious move prompted a reaction from White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.
“Nancy Pelosi is ‘very proud’ Democrats shut the government down over illegal immigration and is taking Democrats out tonight to celebrate. Nice message to send to the brave men & women of our military and border patrol forced to work without pay during the #DemocraticShutdown,” she tweeted.
Nancy Pelosi is “very proud” Democrats shut the government down over illegal immigration and is taking Democrats out tonight to celebrate. Nice message to send to the brave men & women of our military and border patrol forced to work without pay during the #DemocraticShutdown https://t.co/438vcZvf3k
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 21, 2018
House Speaker Paul Ryan’s deputy press secretary, Molly Edwards, also weighed in, tweeting: “Surely this isn’t true. Surely Leader Pelosi isn’t taking her grandstanding caucus to an extremely nice dinner while the government is shut down and most of its employees are furloughed. Right?”
Surely this isn’t true. Surely Leader Pelosi isn’t taking her grandstanding caucus to an extremely nice dinner while the government is shut down and most of its employees are furloughed. Right? https://t.co/kolnTjSImD
— Molly Edwards (@_mollyedw) January 20, 2018
For service members who are not getting paid, dropping $58 for a steak isn’t an option, as one social media user noted in sharing the restaurant’s menu:
Well, @Pelosi is treating all the Dems that show up a $58 steak.for whoever shows up at some fancy restraint called “Acqua Al 2” in DC
(Attaching menu)THAT’S what happens when democrata shut down congress…..While out military fight without pay… pic.twitter.com/j1uJsYuWW2
— Dave Hill (@40and8er) January 21, 2018
Of course, as Pelosi duly noted when denouncing President Trump’s tax reform that resulted in some companies giving bonuses as large as $2,000, this kind of money is but “crumbs.”
Family members and other supporters of the troops saw it differently, as they ripped “Crumbs Pelosi” unmercifully online.
Here’s a sampling of some of the reactions from Twitter:
Don’t worry “Crumbs” Pelosi went out celebrating with @HouseDemocrats tonight at Acqua Al 2. Do these people have no shame?! #SchumerShutdown is a disgrace.
— Shelley (@smp0711) January 21, 2018
The person who said recently that a couple thousand $$ in Americans’ pockets was mere “crumbs” is now taking the entire D caucus to a very nice restaurant on Capitol Hill. https://t.co/r8P8qTm52M
— AshLee Strong (@AshLeeStrong) January 20, 2018
Nancy Pelosi is hosting a dinner party for House Democrats at Acqua Al 2 to celebrate shutting down the government. Look at the prices for the private party rooms. She calls them “Crumbs” while our military and other gov workers aren’t getting paid. This is really disgusting.
— Erin Reilly (@ereilly44) January 21, 2018
Acqua Al 2…when you REALLY need a $58 steak to differentiate yourself from the peons you govern, only the best will do!
— David Jenkins (@m16a172) January 21, 2018
Hi @NancyPelosi Can my @USArmy daughter go? For some reason she’s not getting a paycheck and illegals get more support from dems then she does…personally I think its idiotic to hold up military paychecks… The play with high explosives… pic.twitter.com/rIzpJWKkbo
— ????????Thomas-S Fla???????? (@thomassfl) January 21, 2018
.@NancyPelosi tonight pic.twitter.com/cIVrSpgsAJ
— Katie Martin (@KtMartin17) January 21, 2018
I can see what you’re putting our military and families with vulnerable children through is being taken very seriously @NancyPelosi , to go out and celebrate shutting down the government for illegals shows you have no morals or class, but I guess we already knew that https://t.co/JqxhMWl4Er
— Trisha (@ProblemPanacea) January 21, 2018
Pelosi hosting all House Democrats to celebrate the #SchumerShutdown at Acqua Al 2, a restaurant where enlisted military members could never afford to go. If this wasn’t so pathetic it would be laughable.
— Cecil (@cecilmorgan3) January 21, 2018
4. Is it at least a cheap eatery that Crumby Nancy invited all her Dem friends to celebrate the #SchumerShutdown? You be the judge, it was Acqua Al 2 where a couple would easily spend +$100 for a night out. All while our military members are worrying about next week’s bills. pic.twitter.com/ZaL1BkMFw6
— Deplorable Tigerfan (@Auburngirlx) January 21, 2018
Ask @NancyPelosi to pay for it. You know, all that money to host a Democratic dinner at Acqua Al 2 would more than cover it.
— Tina Burgess (@sftbllmommync) January 21, 2018
Via BizPAC
