The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode: Jon Stewart “Can’t Fking Believe” Democrats Caved on the Shutdown | Rep. Chris DeLuzio & Rep. Pat Ryan**
Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Jon Stewart

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show team dive into the recent government shutdown and the Democrats' surprising decision to cave before achieving their main policy demands—particularly the extension of ACA tax credits. Stewart delivers his signature blend of incredulity, satire, and sharp critique at Democratic leadership, likening the situation to a sports team snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Joined by Rep. Chris DeLuzio (PA) and Rep. Pat Ryan (NY)—members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus and House Armed Services Committee—the discussion shifts to the real-life impact of Congressional decisions on constituents, the military, and American veterans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Democrats Cave on the Shutdown

[00:50–17:00]

• Main Theme: Stewart expresses disbelief that, despite recent electoral victories, Democrats ended the shutdown without securing their key demand of extending ACA tax credits—settling instead for a vague promise of a future vote.
• Mocking Leadership: Stewart lampoons Democratic resolve:
  "Democrats will not back down. Do not stop fighting. We're in this fight until we win this fight...So Democrats have three words for this. No way. Well, funny story. Yes." [01:55]
• ‘Empty Promises’ and the Reality of Congressional Procedure: Stewart sharply criticizes the value of a Senate “promise to vote”:
  "What good does a promise of a Senate vote even do for you Democrats? You don’t control the Senate…Do you even know how this shit works?" [06:15]
• Parodying ‘I’m Just a Bill’: Stewart uses the Schoolhouse Rock! "I'm Just a Bill" song to detail futility in the legislative process when you don’t control the necessary chambers. [06:40]
• Highlighting Tim Kaine and Jeanne Shaheen: Stewart points out that Democrats like Tim Kaine and Jeanne Shaheen (who once championed ACA tax credits) were among those who voted yes to end the shutdown:
  "Jeanne Shaheen decided to vote yes. That was the most weirdly coordinated bear. Not only was it coordinated, here was the most beautiful part about that boo. It started at a low timber and then it grew..." [10:30]
• On Chuck Schumer’s Leadership: Stewart accuses Schumer of orchestrating a behind-the-scenes collapse:
  "Chuck Schumer worked behind the scenes to give in to the Republicans while still protecting vulnerable Democrats, including himself." [12:10]
• Comparisons to Sports Failures: Stewart likens Dems’ performance to the New York Giants' repeated sports collapses:
  "This is a world class collapse by Democrats. It would be like being up 10 points with three minutes left to go in a game and still finding a way to miraculously lose..." [14:05]

Notable Quote

"Democrats, you sold out the entire shutdown not to get what you wanted, but for a promise to not get what you wanted. Later."
— Jon Stewart [04:56]

2. Impact on Constituents & the ACA Tax Credits

[17:00–23:30]

• Stewart laments the unmet promise for ACA tax credits:
  "Because it wasn’t working. It wasn’t working. He’s trying to fucking. First of all, how are we being ruled by the only old people who don't stubbornly cling to shit whether it's working or not?" [16:25]
• Disconnection from the Public: The gap between government actions and the needs of everyday people is sharply critiqued. Stewart notes:
  "This shutdown has focused America's attention away from [Trump’s] gift for distraction and onto stark actualities and seeing through many, for the first time, his bald-faced lying." [17:44]
• On Lost Opportunity: Stewart sees the shutdown as a moment where Americans finally saw through Trumpian disinformation, only to have Democrats squander the advantage:
  "Instead of pressing that advantage...the Democrats just suddenly went droids. I guess we aren't looking for those droids, but you'll help us find them later, right?" [19:31]

3. Interview: Reps. Chris DeLuzio & Pat Ryan

[23:31–42:00]

Initial Reactions to the Senate’s Decision

• Pat Ryan on Senate Democrats:
  "It's pathetic." [26:09] "I literally have folks in my district getting letters in the mail. Their premiums are doubling, tripling…They are like, folks understand actually what’s happening. I’ve had many folks just last weekend home say…hold your ground." [26:10]
• Chris DeLuzio’s Take:
  "There's not even an agreement to have a vote in the House. Even if they had this agreement…there is nothing making Mike Johnson give us a vote on that to extend the tax credits." [27:07]

Power, Leverage, and Party Leadership

• Pat Ryan on Tactical Weakness:
  "At least [Republicans] understand when you have power, use it. Right now, they're using it…truly for evil." [27:47]
• Stewart on Democratic Moderates:
  "The theory of their case, as far as I can tell, is people like you will lose if you stand your ground on principle…Not realizing they didn’t reach across the aisle, they surrendered across the aisle." [29:15]
• DeLuzio on Constituent Demands:
  "I don't know any constituents of ours that want us to just wilt. They want us to stand our ground for something that matters." [29:39]
• Ryan on Political Labels:
  "There's this old theory of left, right, progressive, centrist, moderate. It's bullshit. People want to know, are you going to actually fight for me when it matters or are you gonna cave?" [30:06]

Veterans’ Issues and the PACT Act

• Pat Ryan Thanking Stewart for PACT Act Advocacy:
  "You came down and destroyed Ted Cruz…a million veterans signed up after that bill. I'm telling you, I'm so happy. It would not have happened [without you]." [31:05]
• DeLuzio on Government Hostility:
  "A lot of politicians who voted to send guys like us to places like Iraq spending trillions, all of a sudden want to count pennies when it’s time to care for the veterans they sent." [32:05]

Patriotism and Political Divides

• Both guests criticize the performative patriotism of the right and stress their authenticity as veterans serving in Congress.
• Chris DeLuzio:
  "We serve with people who I think are oath breakers who are part of trying to overthrow the Constitution...So we don't take a lecture from patriotism on guys like that. No way." [33:36]

4. Military Budget, Defense Contractors & Corruption

[34:00–39:30]

• Veterans and Food Security:
  Pat Ryan: "We have tens of thousands of active duty service members and millions of veterans on SNAP food stamps right now in the United States of America." [35:41]
• On Defense Contractors:
  Chris DeLuzio: "There used to be 51 prime defense contractors. Back in the 90s. There were five [now]... We could spend the whole night talking about different ways we get gouged. Let's take the C17...Soap dispensers...7900% markup." [36:34]
• Lobbyist Influence and Boondoggles:
  Pat Ryan recounts lobbying pressure against efforts to get taxpayers access to intellectual property on defense equipment: "We pay them trillions of dollars and Lockheed Martin keeps the intellectual property for the stuff that our tax dollars pay for...We didn’t succeed [with our amendment] because we just got overwhelmed." [38:21] Jon Stewart: "It’s like the worst episode of Shark Tank ever." [39:17]

5. Final Reflections for Veterans Day

[39:52–41:21]

• DeLuzio:
  "Stand solid for a strong and funded VA that is there to take care of veterans for care that we have all earned, for those benefits that we've earned." [40:12]
• Ryan:
  "Trump ran on supporting and helping veterans and on ending the forever wars. Right? He has done the 180 degree opposite...don't send our most precious resources, our young men and women into harm’s way on some chicken hawk BS from a five-time draft dodger who does not understand what selfless service means whatsoever." [40:28]
• Stewart:
  "And hold them accountable for them. Let me feel it better myself." [41:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jon Stewart: "Democrats, you sold out the entire shutdown not to get what you wanted, but for a promise to not get what you wanted. Later." [04:56]
• Pat Ryan: "At least [Republicans] understand when you have power, use it. Right now, they're using it...truly for evil." [27:47]
• Chris DeLuzio: "I don't know any constituents of ours that want us to just wilt. They want us to stand our ground for something that matters." [29:39]
• Pat Ryan: "There's this old theory of left, right, progressive, centrist, moderate. It's bullshit. People want to know, are you going to actually fight for me when it matters or are you gonna cave?" [30:06]
• Chris DeLuzio: "We serve with people who I think are oath breakers...So we don't take a lecture from patriotism on guys like that. No way." [33:36]
• Pat Ryan: "We have tens of thousands of active duty service members and millions of veterans on SNAP food stamps right now in the United States of America." [35:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:50–10:30 | Stewart Recaps the Shutdown and Democratic Collapse
• 10:30–17:00 | Critique of Senate Democrats & Loss of Political Leverage
• 23:31–27:19 | Reps. DeLuzio & Ryan Interview: House vs. Senate Response
• 27:20–33:57 | Political Strategy, District Demands, and Genuine vs. Performative Patriotism
• 34:00–39:32 | Military Budget, Corruption, and Defense Contracting
• 39:52–41:21 | Final Thoughts for Veterans Day and the Ongoing Fight

Summary Conclusion

This episode offers a scathing, comedic breakdown of how Democrats, despite holding meaningful leverage from recent electoral victories and the government shutdown, caved under pressure and received only empty promises in return. Stewart and his guests, Reps. DeLuzio and Ryan, expose the deep disconnect between Capitol theatrics and the urgent needs of constituents, especially those most vulnerable or who have served the country. Criticisms of defense spending, corporate lobbying, and political cowardice are woven throughout, balanced with a call for authenticity, real representation, and accountability—especially in honoring veterans not just with words but action. The result is both an entertaining and sobering reminder of what’s really at stake in Washington.