CNBC host Joe Kernen, a conservative, did not mince words during a Wednesday segment with Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT). Asked if he was ready to vote to reopen the government yet, Welch replied, “You know, I’m not there yet. Because we have had literally, Joe, no discussion whatsoever about how we’re going to deal with the spikes in premiums.”

Kernen, clearly exasperated, shut him down. “This is the right way to do it, senator? By people not getting paychecks at the TSA? This is extortion! … In your conscience, you think it’s the right way to do it?”