Story perspectives

Joy Behar Absent as The View Tackles Democratic Tensions

11/13/2025

Center

Joy Behar's Absence

Joy Behar, cohost of The View, missed three consecutive episodes due to a foot injury, confirmed by Whoopi Goldberg.
The panel discussed the government shutdown, with Sunny Hostin criticizing eight Senate Democrats for siding with Republicans.
Hostin said the decision undermined Democratic momentum from recent elections.
Sara Haines emphasized immediate solutions to provide food for those affected.
The discussion highlighted tensions within the Democratic Party about leadership and strategy.

Left

Whoopi Criticizes Democrats

Whoopi Goldberg, host, criticized eight Senate Democrats for siding with Republicans to end shutdown without health care guarantees.
After 40 days, Democrats voted to reopen the government, and Goldberg questioned GOP ACA subsidy talks.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, political commentator, acknowledged the deal but noted 42 million people lost SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
Sunny Hostin, co-host, urged leadership changes, saying Schumer should step down if he cannot unify the caucus.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. government shutdown, lasting from October 1 to 17, stemmed from a standoff over the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with 800,000 federal employees furloughed. This conflict highlighted deep partisan divides, as House Republicans, led by Speaker John Boehner, sought to defund the ACA. The shutdown's repercussions included significant economic losses, with estimates of $24 billion in costs to the economy.

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Joy Behar's Absence

Joy Behar, cohost of The View, missed three consecutive episodes due to a foot injury, confirmed by Whoopi Goldberg.
The panel discussed the government shutdown, with Sunny Hostin criticizing eight Senate Democrats for siding with Republicans.
Hostin said the decision undermined Democratic momentum from recent elections.
Sara Haines emphasized immediate solutions to provide food for those affected.
The discussion highlighted tensions within the Democratic Party about leadership and strategy.

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