While Schumer Celebrates, Americans Suffer: The Cost of the Democrat Shutdown Grows by the Day

Washington, D.C. – Mere days after Chairman Tom Cole warned that “the longer it goes on, the more damage will be done,” Senator Chuck Schumer took to the press to brag, “every day gets better for us.” For who, exactly? Certainly not for the service members and military families preparing to miss a paycheck, the air traffic controllers grappling with understaffed offices, the seniors who lost access to healthcare services, the small business owners now weighing layoffs after disrupted contracts, the communities facing delayed fire prevention work, or the mothers and infants whose WIC benefits were put at risk.
 

Senator Schumer’s words lay bare a simple truth: Democrats are celebrating the very shutdown they voted to impose, even as Americans bear the consequences. The contrast could not be more jarring — House Appropriators acted responsibly to keep the government open, safeguard vital services, and continue progress on full-year funding bills through regular order.

As our members continue to call on Senate Democrats to reopen the government, here's where they stand on Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s sentiments:

Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) has been consistent — Democrats are causing harm to the American people with a prolonged shutdown. It's not anything to celebrate — it's time to put the American people first and end the political games. 

 

 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) shared Schumer's quote on X, with the reminder that military service members' and federal workers' paychecks are on hold while Democrats celebrate it. 

 

 

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) called out Schumer's celebration of his own prolonged shutdown as "shameful" on X. 

 

 

Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) pointed out that while millions of federal workers don't know if they'll receive a paycheck next week, Schumer is celebrating. 

 

 

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) exposed Schumer for putting politics before the American people. 

 

 

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR) highlighted the fact that these shutdowns hurt families when military service members are forced to work without pay. 

 

 

Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) called Schumer "gleefully happy" over the harm he's intentionally causing our troops and their families. 

 

 

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) called Schumer's statement "revealing and disgusting."

 

 

Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce (R-OH) posted to X a reminder that every week the shutdown continues, we lose $15 billion in GDP. 

 

 

Representative Ben Cline (R-VA) has been counting the hours since Schumer shut down the government - and he's got stats on the harm already happening because of furloughs, like flight delays and cancellations. 

 

 

Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA) posted headlines of the impact of the shutdown on military families, education and agriculture programs, transportation, and federal workers, alongside Schumer's own words: "Every day gets better for us." 

 

R

epresentative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) reminded everyone that no one wins in a shutdown, and especially not military families. 

 

 

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Vice Chair Julie Letlow (R-LA) also pointed out the fact that next week, our troops may miss a paycheck because of Schumer's political drama. 

 

 

Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT) reiterated the damage happening to rural airports under Schumer's shutdown. 

 

 

Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) called Schumer's comment "disgusting," while military families might miss a paycheck in less than a week. 

 

 

 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Vice Chair Stephanie Bice (R-OK) posted to X, calling Schumer's statement "disgusting."

 

 

 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Vice Chair Scott Franklin (R-FL) questioned who Schumer thinks things are "better" for in a shutdown, because it's not the American people!

 

Homeland Security Subcommittee Vice Chair Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) asked Schumer if he really thinks things are better every day, and included the reminder that while troops aren't getting paid, Senators are. 

 

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Vice Chair Chuck Edwards (R-NC) posted a list of Schumer's ridiculous demands in order to reopen the government. 
 

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Vice Chair Mark Alford (R-MO) called Schumer "out of touch" for telling Americans that this rapidly worsening situation is actually better for him. 

 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Vice Chair Dale Strong (R-AL) accused Schumer of ignoring the damage his shutdown is causing Alabamians. 

 

Legislative Branch Subcommittee Vice Chair Riley Moore (R-WV) called Schumer's shutdown a "disgraceful stunt" that will cause military service members to miss a paycheck in just a few days. 

 

There is nothing “better” about missed paychecks, stalled services, or uncertainty for millions of Americans. It doesn’t have to be this way. A handful of Senate Democrats could end the suffering today by voting for the clean, House-passed continuing resolution — a simple, responsible solution to reopen government, pay our troops and federal personnel, and restore critical services.

 

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