CNN’s Kasie Hunt pushed back against Democrat Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego Wednesday during “The Arena” after he denied that the party’s decision to shut down the government wasn’t influenced by “progressive pressure” to “stand up” to President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday evening, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led his party in halting a GOP spending bill to fund the government, triggering a shutdown that began Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. Hunt asked Gallego about the party’s motives in blocking the measure. (RELATED: Soros-Backed Leftist Group Behind Campaign To Force Government Shutdown)

“I totally take your point about health care costs, which are enormously high, and you can even see a lot of Republicans, moderate ones especially, acknowledging that this should be part of it. But are you arguing that politics inside the Democratic Party, progressive pressure to show that you’re standing up to Donald Trump, has nothing to do with this shutdown?” Hunt asked.

“Yeah, I’m arguing that we care about 24 million Americans losing their premiums and hundreds, well, millions of them actually losing coverage —” Gallego began before Hunt interjected.

 

The CNN host pressed the Democrat lawmaker, asking again if the decision “is not about politics inside the party at all,” to which Gallego quickly replied, “no.” The Arizona senator said Democrats have “always been talking about affordable health care” as the core of the party.

Hunt said she had covered “the whole Obamacare debate” and understood Democrats’ position. As Gallego wrapped up, he said Democrats were fighting for affordable health care, adding, “I’m sorry you don’t believe that, but that’s what’s actually happening.”

“I never said I don’t believe that,” Hunt said. “I absolutely — I see the policy on paper.”

“Well you keep pushing back,” Gallego said. “But Americans are hurting right now. Republicans are willing to increase their premiums. They’re going to increase their premiums starting November 1. There’s an option not to do that. And I’m willing to open up the government for a couple of weeks for us to negotiate that if I know that we’re going in that direction.”

In March, lawmakers avoided a government shutdown after Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats joined Republicans in approving a GOP-led spending bill. The Senate minority leader quickly faced backlash from progressives in his party, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Ocasio-Cortez publicly slammed Schumer’s decision to side with Republicans, calling it “a tremendous mistake.” Soon after, speculation grew that she may be eyeing Schumer’s Senate seat in the 2028 election.

After reports began to circulate from Democrats publicly coming out against Schumer, an April poll released by left-leaning data firm Data for Progress said 55% of Democrat-likely voters said they would support Ocasio-Cortez in a potential Senate race, with only 36% backing Schumer.

With only three Democrats joining Republicans during Tuesday’s vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune will need to convince five additional Democrats to cross over party lines to end the shutdown.