10.23.25

The Pain Is the Point: Democrats Put Politics Over Paying Troops and Federal Workers

The Longest Full-Government Shutdown in History Continues as Democrats Vote Against Both Reopening the Government and Paying Employees Still on the Job

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DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED AGAIN NOT TO PAY FEDERAL WORKERS DURING THIS SHUTDOWN, OPTING FOR FLOOR THEATRICS INSTEAD OF REAL SOLUTIONS

“People in this chamber, people in this building, had to stay here night before last, all night – all night – to listen to some Democrats drone on. One Democrat senator read the same poem four times. They were here all night, not getting paid… federal employees – in this building, had to stay here all night, work through the night and into the next day so [the Democrats] could make some campaign political speech or point in the middle of the night.” – Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.)

  • “The federal government is now in its longest full shutdown ever.” (Fox News: Government enters longest full shutdown in US history with no end in sight – 10/22/25)
  • Last week, Democrats voted against considering the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act, which would have funded paychecks and a raise for service members. (Politico: Senate Democrats tank military funding bill amid shutdown feud – 10/16/25; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Senate Committee Approves FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill – 7/31/25)
  • Today, Democrats voted against Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) bill to pay federal employees who are continuing to work without pay during Democrats’ government shutdown. (S. 3012: Roll Call Vote #585 – 10/23/25; Punchbowl News: AM: Schumer, Senate Dems harden with no exit strategy – 10/23/25)
  • Senate Democrats did have time, however, to speak all night to their base from the Senate floor:
    • “The ‘No Kings’ movement made its way to the Capitol this week as Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) held the floor for 22 hours and 39 minutes from Tuesday evening into Wednesday afternoon.” (The Hill: ‘No Kings’ movement hits Senate floor with Merkley marathon speech – 10/22/25)
    • “While unlikely to change the dynamics of the shutdown fight, it was another effort by Democrats to stand with their frustrated base in opposition to Trump.” (The Hill: ‘No Kings’ movement hits Senate floor with Merkley marathon speech – 10/22/25)

DEMOCRATS’ SHUTDOWN AND REFUSAL TO PAY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND SERVICE MEMBERS IS CAUSING HARM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

  • “As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, National Guard units across the country are canceling drill weekends, suspending routine training, and operating without pay for many personnel, according to state National Guard officials across the country.” (The Daily Caller: ‘Not Good’: National Guard Training Grinds To Halt Amid Shutdown — With No Pay In Sight – 10/22/25)
    • “Guard officers argue the shutdown has been uniquely challenging for personnel across the country who have not been paid in the month of October if they are not on active duty. The Guard also voiced concern about the prolonged shutdown’s impact on readiness.” (The Daily Caller: ‘Not Good’: National Guard Training Grinds To Halt Amid Shutdown — With No Pay In Sight – 10/22/25)
    • “One federal employee said she was dismayed to need to ask for help for the first time. ‘I’ve not been in this predicament ever. I served 21 years in the military. I’ve been a federal government employee for the past two years. The reason I wanted to become a federal government employee was stability. That stability, that rug, if you will, has been snatched away from us,’ she said.” (NBC News: Furloughed fed says she's standing in Maryland food bank line after 21 years in military – 10/22/25)
  • “The 60,000 men and women responsible for keeping American skies safe have gone unpaid throughout the government shutdown. Without a funding agreement soon, many will be forced to dip into savings, rack up credit-card debt, or take on part-time jobs to make ends meet, several federal employees said.” (Reuters: US government shutdown: 60,000 aviation safety staff face financial strain as crisis deepens – 10/22/25)
    • “The shutdown is now three weeks old, and rapidly approaching the time when the tens of thousands of government employees who keep security lines moving and air traffic safe will miss a full paycheck. Those workers last received paychecks in mid-October, and those checks were missing up to two days' worth of pay.” (Reuters: US government shutdown: 60,000 aviation safety staff face financial strain as crisis deepens –10/22/25)
    • “‘People are saying, “Well, when I get off work, I'm going to do Uber or DoorDash or Lyft or something like that because I need to put food on the table and I got a kid at home”,’ said Neal Gosman, treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 899 in Minnesota, a union representing Transportation Security Administration workers.” (Reuters: US government shutdown: 60,000 aviation safety staff face financial strain as crisis deepens –10/22/25)

FAMILIES WILL SOON LOSE ACCESS TO FOOD ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR TODDLERS BECAUSE OF DEMOCRATS’ SHUTDOWN

  • “More than 42 million people receive SNAP benefits, according to government data from August. In 2024, about 12.3 percent of U.S. residents received them.” (The Washington Post: Millions may lose SNAP food stamp benefits if shutdown continues – 10/22/25)
    • “Twenty-five states told POLITICO that they are issuing notices informing participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative — that they won’t receive checks next month.” (Politico: At least 25 states plan to cut off food aid benefits in November – 10/23/25)
    • “‘SNAP is the largest and most effective hunger prevention program in the country,’ Barbara C. Guinn, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance commissioner, said in a release. ‘To permit monthly benefits to halt would be unprecedented and have an immediate and devastating impact,’ she added.” (The Washington Post: Millions may lose SNAP food stamp benefits if shutdown continues – 10/22/25)
  • “Head Start programs that serve tens of thousands of the nation’s neediest preschoolers are facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month because of the government shutdown, leaving many scrambling to figure out how to keep their doors open.” (Associated Press: Government shutdown imperils dozens of Head Start preschool programs – 10/20/25)
    • “With new grants on hold, a half dozen Head Start programs already missed federal disbursements they were expecting on Oct. 1 and are staying open with fast-dwindling reserves or help from local governments.” (Associated Press: Government shutdown imperils dozens of Head Start preschool programs – 10/20/25)
    • “Now, Head Start advocates are urging Congress to reopen the government before 134 programs that serve almost 59,000 children miss their annual funding on Nov. 1, forcing them to find other sources or risk closing.” (NBC News: Head Start programs flash red lights ahead of November funding cliff – 10/23/25)

DEMOCRATS KNOW THEIR SHUTDOWN IS INFLICTING PAIN ON FAMILIES AND VIEW THEM AS “LEVERAGE”

  • “Missed paychecks, canceled infrastructure projects and mass firings haven’t yet convinced congressional Democrats to change their government shutdown stance.” (Politico: Food-aid cliff bears down on Democrats as shutdown nears 1-month mark – 10/22/25)
  • One “senior Democratic aide said as long as public perception is in their favor, the party will not concede short of ‘planes falling out of the sky.’” (CNN: Democrats say even missed paychecks for US troops won’t be enough to end shutdown alone – 10/9/25)
  • “Democrats say even missed paychecks for US troops won’t be enough to end shutdown alone.” (CNN: Democrats say even missed paychecks for US troops won’t be enough to end shutdown alone – 10/9/25)
  • “According to more than a half-dozen Democratic senators, fewer and fewer colleagues are speaking up during caucus meetings. That’s a reflection of a few different dynamics, including the fact that many are afraid of crossing the party’s base and Schumer.” (Punchbowl News: AM: Schumer, Senate Dems harden with no exit strategy – 10/23/25)
  • “Schumer has dramatically improved his standing within his caucus, especially after the March funding debacle.” (Punchbowl News: AM: Schumer, Senate Dems harden with no exit strategy – 10/23/25)