Democrats Prepare to Shut Down the Government and Bring Pain to Their States

Despite Fully Knowing the Disastrous Impacts of a Government Shutdown, Senate Democrats Are Adhering to Far-Left Progressive Groups and Putting the Screws to Hardworking Americans

ON THE BRINK OF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, IT TURNS OUT DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN COORDINATING WITH PROGRESSIVE GROUPS AND PLANNING A SHUTDOWN FOR MONTHS

“Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and his staff are closely coordinating their government shutdown strategy with outside liberal groups, Axios has learned.” (Axios: Scoop: Schumer’s private war room on government shutdown – 9/26/25)

“The same groups slammed Schumer earlier this year for caving on government funding. This time, the Democratic leader is playing to his base.” (Axios: Scoop: Schumer’s private war room on government shutdown – 9/26/25)

“Schumer’s leadership team established a war room email list with outside groups, strategists and influencers where they share talking points and social media posts to amplify.” (Axios: Scoop: Schumer’s private war room on government shutdown – 9/26/25)

“‘They’re treating it like a campaign. … All those things didn’t happen last time because maybe Democrats on Capitol Hill didn’t feel like the time was right for a fight,’ the source said. ‘Or maybe they just didn’t realize this was gonna irk the grassroots that much.’” (Axios: Scoop: Schumer’s private war room on government shutdown – 9/26/25)

Congressional Democrats have been gaming out a shutdown fight for months:
- “Multiple progressive groups told Axios that they’ve had weekly meetings and conversations with Schumer and his team over the last two months.” (Axios: Scoop: Schumer’s private war room on government shutdown – 9/26/25)

- “Jeffries wanted this fight in March, when Schumer blinked.” (Punchbowl News: AM: Shutdown week is here – 9/29/25)

- “We have been preparing for a government shutdown showdown for months, meeting House and Senate Democratic leaders, appropriators and others, for months and are very confident, as we saw last Friday, that Senate Democrats are holding the line.” – House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.)

BY RECKLESSLY PUSHING A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, DEMOCRATS ARE JEOPARDIZING VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE, TRANSPORTATION, AND THE ECONOMY

“The financial impact of a shutdown typically depends on the length of the disruption, with each week costing the U.S. economy about $7 billion, according to a new analysis from EY-Parthenon Chief Economist Gregory Daco.” (CBS News: The federal government is heading toward a shutdown. Here's what economists say would be the impact. – 9/29/25)

“The White House warned of a slate of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) programs that could expire if the House GOP’s short-term funding extension is not passed in the Senate by early morning Wednesday.” (Fox News: White House warns veterans' services at risk if Dems block GOP funding bill – 9/29/25)

“Among the programs listed are those that provide nursing home care for veterans with service-connected disabilities, a grant-funded suicide prevention program, transportation services to medical services for veterans and their families, financial assistance for low-income veteran families, veteran mental health services and outreach programs for veterans experiencing homelessness.” (Fox News: White House warns veterans' services at risk if Dems block GOP funding bill – 9/29/25)

Veterans’ groups are also warning that a government shutdown would harm veterans’ care:
- “Four veteran groups — American Legion, AMVETS (American Veterans), Vietnam Veterans of America and Mission Roll Call — said on Saturday that the CR, which passed the House earlier this month, contains ‘vital extensions’ for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that ‘safeguard’ important programs, including the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program.”
- “If the government shuts down next week, veterans will still be able to get their pensions and disability payments. The 24-hour Veterans Crisis Line would still work and VA hospitals would remain open, but other services would halt temporarily, including the GI Bill Hotline, VA benefits regional offices and some others.” (The Hill: Veteran groups warn Congress against shutdown: ‘Resist the pull of political brinkmanship’ – 9/27/25)

A government shutdown could wreak havoc on America’s transportation system:
- “A government shutdown could disrupt travel with longer lines at the airport, national park closures and snarled itineraries.”
- “Many airport employees, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration staff, would be forced to work without pay.”
- “The government’s continuing efforts to strengthen the air traffic control system would also be stymied, with some much-needed training and hiring put on ice.”
- “Though transportation systems, including air and rail, would continue to operate, a shutdown could bring financial losses of up to $1 billion each week for the country’s travel economy and heighten ‘uncertainty in our travel system,’ said Geoff Freeman, the president and chief executive of the U.S. Travel Association.” (The New York Times: What Travelers Need to Know About the Possible Government Shutdown – 9/28/25)

A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WOULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE STATES DEMOCRATS REPRESENT

“There are 85,000 federal workers in Georgia, including 70,000 active-duty military personnel, who may have to work without pay or face furloughs.” (Columbus Ledger Enquirer: What is a government shutdown and how could it affect Georgia? Here’s what to know – 3/14/25)

“The fast-approaching Oct. 1 deadline comes just one day after Congress is set to return from a recess, leaving glum prospects of reaching a deal before midnight. As is typically the case, many federal workers, including the roughly 60,000 that live and work in metro Atlanta, will go without pay until lawmakers can decide on a budget bill or continuing resolution.” (WTOC Savannah: Georgia federal workers fret over possible shutdown, furloughs – 9/24/25)

“The Georgia Department of Public Health anticipates that over 220,000 mothers and children across the state could potentially lose grocery assistance.” (Columbus Ledger Enquirer: What is a government shutdown and how could it affect Georgia? Here’s what to know – 3/14/25)

“Georgia’s 39,000 farms could lose federal loans and disaster assistance.” (Columbus Ledger Enquirer: What is a government shutdown and how could it affect Georgia? Here’s what to know – 3/14/25)

A government shutdown would have negative ramifications for the “nearly 30,000 civilian federal workers and 2,000 active-duty service members in Michigan who could all miss paychecks in a prolonged shutdown.” (The Detroit News: 'Unprecedented' state, federal government shutdowns could overlap in Michigan next week – 9/25/25)

“In New Hampshire, there are 5,208 federal civilian employees who would be furloughed or required to work without pay if a shutdown occurs. This includes many who work at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.” (Seacostonline Portsmouth: What to know about a potential government shutdown and how it will affect NH – 9/29/25)

“With household spending cuts the squeeze on small and local businesses that rely on invoices and patronage of federal workers could be catastrophic. The impact is especially magnified on the Seacoast, where the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employs roughly 7,500 civilians—including about 2,900 New Hampshire residents—and where delayed federal payments to contractors can quickly affect everything from restaurants to retailers and service providers from Portsmouth to Rochester.” (Granite Post: How a federal shutdown would hit New Hampshire – 9/23/25)

“A potential government shutdown could have lasting effects on Maryland federal workers and employees who work for government contractors.” (WBAL TV11 Baltimore: 'Would be devastating': Maryland federal workers fear job losses amid potential government shutdown – 9/25/25)

In Maryland alone, as of 2023, there were an estimated 269,000 Maryland residents employed by the federal government. (Maryland Department of Labor: Fast Facts: Maryland’s Federal Workforce – updated 3/21/25)

“A federal government shutdown would disproportionately impact the Commonwealth [of Virginia] due to its deep ties to federal, civilian, and military spending. With a high concentration of federal employees, contractors and military personnel, a shutdown would cause a significant financial strain and disrupt services across the Hampton Roads area.” (13 News Now Norfolk: Virginia lawmakers speak on potential firings as government shutdown looms – 9/26/25)

Virginia is home to over 320,000 full-time civilian employees. (WVTF Roanoke: How many federal workers actually live in Virginia? – 3/10/25)

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