Senator Dick Durbin, the number two Democrat in the Senate, discusses the current state of negotiations regarding the debt ceiling and government funding. He emphasizes the importance of a bipartisan approach to prevent government shutdowns, criticizing the Republican strategy of negotiating internally without Democratic input. Durbin highlights the debt ceiling as a critical issue, noting its potential impact on future tax cuts for the wealthy. He expresses skepticism about the Republicans' ability to manage the situation alone and stresses the need for cooperation between both parties. Durbin also comments on the influence of figures like Elon Musk in political matters, questioning the appropriateness of their involvement given their lack of electoral mandate. He concludes by underscoring the irresponsibility of a government shutdown, especially during the holiday season, and calls for collaborative problem-solving between Democrats and Republicans.