Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of orchestrating a secret "backroom deal" with fellow Democrats to deliberately keep the government shut down until after Tuesday's elections.

During an interview, Mullin disclosed that Schumer privately instructed Senate Democrats to "wait it out" rather than negotiate with Republicans to reopen the government.

Mullin blasted the strategy as a cynical move to protect Democrat turnout in key states.