Senator Barrasso Slams Democrats for Government Shutdown, Citing American Suffering

Consequences of the Shutdown

• 💔 42 million Americans lost access to food assistance, and 1.8 million federal workers missed paychecks, leading to mounting bills.
• ✈️ Thousands of flights were delayed, impacting air travel safety and dependability.
• 🗓️ Today marks day 35 of the "Schumer shutdown," tying the record for the longest government shutdown in American history.

Republican Efforts to Reopen Government

• ✅ Republicans have voted 13 times to reopen the government with a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution.
• 🚫 Democrats have voted against these resolutions, which would have paid troops, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and Border Patrol.
• 🍎 Funding for food assistance and Head Start programs was also opposed by Democrats.

Economic and Political Impact

• 📉 The Congressional Budget Office estimates the shutdown has cost the economy as much as $14 billion.
• 📉 Democrats' popularity has declined, with Americans resenting being used as political pawns.
• 🗣️ Union leaders from air traffic controllers, Teamsters, and government employees have urged Democrats to negotiate and pass a clean resolution.

Democratic Leverage and "Heartless" Tactics

• 📢 Senator Schumer stated that "every day gets better for us" during the shutdown, indicating a strategic use of the crisis.
• ⚖️ A House Democrat whip admitted families would suffer, calling the shutdown a "leverage time".
• 🛠️ Senator Chris Coons described the shutdown as an "unpleasant tool" used for leverage.
• 🗳️ Senator Ruben Gallego expressed willingness to "shut it down again", highlighting a perceived willingness to repeat the pain.

Call to Action

• 🇺🇸 Republicans are ready to reopen the government today with a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution.
• 🛑 The call is for Democrats to stop playing games, end the shutdown, and prioritize the well-being of the American people.