Democrats Chose a Shutdown—Americans Are Paying the Price

WASHINGTON D.C. – A government shutdown might sound like abstract words in Washington—but across America, the impact is painfully real and will continue to get worse. The Democrat-led shutdown is halting paychecks for our troops and federal law enforcement, furloughing and risking the jobs of federal employees, jeopardizing flood insurance and healthcare services, and cutting off nutrition support for low-income mothers and children in need. Today, House Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), and Subcommittee Cardinals, warned these are not hypothetical consequences—everyday families are paying the price because Democrats are refusing to reopen the government with a clean, nonpartisan funding extension.

House Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman and Subcommittee Chairman National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)said, "This shutdown isn’t just a lapse in funding—it’s a lapse in our ability to effectively counter the deadly flow of illicit drugs into our country. The Schumer-led shutdown halts essential support for counternarcotics operations, including efforts to stop the scourge of fentanyl before it reaches American communities. Under Chairman Tom Cole’s leadership, House Republicans did our job—we passed all 12 appropriations bills out of committee, including strong national security provisions in my subcommittee’s bill. This is just one of the many devastating consequences of Senate Democrats' failure to act."

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "What are Democrats achieving by instigating a shutdown and keeping the federal government closed? Nothing but pain, risked livelihoods, and throwing the entire nation into chaos and uncertainty. It’s absolutely reckless to do what Democrats are doing. I authored the clean legislation they rejected to keep the government open and working, and I know exactly what’s in it: no partisan provisions, no poison pills, no political gimmicks—just a short-term, responsible extension. If they can’t be for that, then they’ve abandoned the most basic duty of public service: keeping the government working for the people." 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) said, "The cost of the government being shutdown is adding up to big losses, including potentially missed paychecks for FBI agents who combat violent crime, weakening national security and law enforcement operations that keep Americans safe. Meanwhile, we are setting back efforts to revive domestic manufacturing with unnecessary delays in licensing and critical economic data. Also, after a devastating year of deadly natural disasters, our National Weather Service employees who provide 24/7 lifesaving severe weather alerts will not be paid until the shutdown ends. House Republicans voted to keep the government open to avoid these setbacks, and it’s time for Washington Democrats to put the American people first."

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) said, "Without the funding needed to process grants that support rural hospitals, we risk even more closures—and with them, the loss of essential care for millions of Americans in rural communities."

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID)said, "Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have shut down the government due to their far-left, unreasonable policy demands. These political games have very real consequences for Americans, especially throughout the West. Whether it's jeopardizing wildfire preparedness, the partial or total closure of our public lands and national parks, or preventing the issuance of permits for continued economic growth and development, the American people should never pay the price for government dysfunction. As Chairman of the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, I wholeheartedly disagree with the Democrats' reckless decision. I am closely monitoring the impacts this shutdown will have on these agencies, and I urge my colleagues across the aisle to consider how their actions harm Americans."

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX)said, "The Democratic party has chosen to play politics with the American people and our heroes, and it’s unacceptable. This Schumer shutdown is delaying vital services for veterans, including transition program assistance and career counseling. It’s time for Senate Democrats to stop the political performance, vote for the clean CR, and get back to work."

Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA)said, "American service members stationed here at home and deployed around the globe are already asked to make extraordinary sacrifices. The last thing we should ever do is play political games with the pay that they and their families depend on. As Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I'm committed to keeping our government open and standing up for those who bravely keep us safe every day."

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR) said, "When Democrats blocked a straightforward funding extension to keep the government open, they voted to force air traffic controllers and FAA employees to work without pay, jeopardizing the safety of our national airspace. These critical workers deserve better as they ensure safer skies for our nation, and Americans deserve better than petty politics that puts air travel and public safety at risk."

Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) said, "Democrats’ stupid, unnecessary, and harmful shutdown needlessly jeopardizes our national security, energy dominance, and important work to modernize our nuclear deterrent. The childish political games that Democrats are playing put every American at risk and allow our adversaries to have strategic leverage over the United States while our government is shut down. It’s far past time for Democrats to end their tantrum and pass our clean, non-partisan CR to allow the government to reopen and get back to work."

Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce (R-OH) said, "The Democrat imposed shutdown is having drastic effects on all the federal agencies throughout the government, impacting services critical for millions of Americans. The Small Business Administration isn't issuing new loans, the Federal Communications Commission cannot address consumer complaints, and federal employees aren't able to access human resources services."

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD)said, "The clean, House-passed CR fully funds WIC—a program Democrats themselves have demanded be protected at every turn. It is shocking the Democrats would now vote to shut down the government, threatening the very WIC funding they claim to champion."

Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei (R-NV)said,"The men and women of the Department of Homeland Security serve and protect our communities every day, knowing their families worry each time they leave home. It’s a job they chose, and one they carry out with honor. When the government shuts down, their mission doesn’t stop, but their paychecks do. Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other law enforcement personnel will continue risking their lives for our safety, yet return home without pay for that service. These shutdowns don’t just disrupt government, they disrupt lives, leaving real people and real families to face greater uncertainty. It’s those who serve our nation who ultimately bear the cost."

Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao (R-CA) said, "As Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I’m proud of the work my colleagues on the committee and I accomplished to keep the Capitol, Library of Congress, and other historic institutions open and accessible to students, families, and visitors from across the country and around the world. Unfortunately, because Congressional Democrats chose to force an unnecessary government shutdown, these doors are now closed. It’s time for Democrats to stop playing politics and join us in passing a clean, non-partisan extension of funding so we can reopen our nation’s capital to the people."

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