Mark Alford: Schumer shutdown letting our heroes down

(From Fourth District Congresssman Mark Alford)

As I continue to travel Missouri’s Fourth District working for you, I have been reflecting on the chaos unfolding across our great nation. One thing is crystal clear: this is the Schumer Shutdown, plain and simple. 

For weeks now, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Democratic colleagues have held the American people hostage, refusing to act on a straightforward solution that House Republicans, including myself, have already delivered. We passed a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open, free of partisan games or extraneous demands. It was a responsible, bipartisan measure designed to maintain essential services without drama. But Schumer and the Senate Democrats have blocked it at every turn, choosing political posturing over the well-being of our citizens.

Now, as we approach October 15, 2025, the consequences of this needless standoff are about to hit home in the most heartbreaking way. Our brave military servicemembers and federal law enforcement officers—men and women who put their lives on the line every single day to protect our freedoms—will miss their paychecks. These heroes don't get to clock out during a shutdown. They continue to stand guard on foreign battlefields, patrol our borders, and keep our communities safe from threats both foreign and domestic. Yet, because of the Schumer Shutdown, they'll be forced to worry about how to feed their families, pay their bills, or even put gas in their cars.

Imagine a soldier stationed overseas, dodging danger while wondering if they'll have to turn to a food bank upon returning home. Or a federal agent risking everything to combat drug cartels and human traffickers, only to face the humiliation of scraping by without a paycheck. This is unacceptable in the United States of America. Our troops and law enforcement officers shouldn't have to rely on charity to survive—not when they're the backbone of our national security. And make no mistake: this dire situation is entirely preventable. It's happening because Senate Democrats continue to vote against reopening the government, prioritizing their agenda over the sacrifices of those who serve.

House Republicans have done our part. We've shown leadership by advancing a clean CR that funds the government at current levels, without the bloated spending or radical policies that Schumer insists on tacking on. This isn't about party lines; it's about doing right by the American people. We've extended an olive branch multiple times, only to see it slapped away. Enough is enough.

I call on Chuck Schumer and every Senate Democrat to end this farce immediately. Pass the clean, nonpartisan CR that we've already approved in the House. Open the government. Pay our heroes. Our military and law enforcement deserve nothing less than our full support—not empty rhetoric or excuses. The American people are watching, and they won't forget who chose shutdown over service.

It's time to put country over politics. Let's get this done.