43 Days of Suffering End as Democrats Abandon Failed Hostage Strategy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After holding the government hostage for 43 days, Democrats finally surrendered, walking away with zero policy wins and nothing to show for the economic carnage they caused. Republicans in the House and Senate did not waver from their commitment to reopen the government for the American people and reject the radical wish list of Congressional Democrats.

Throughout the longest shutdown in American history, Republicans in the House and Senate remained unified in the commitment to reopen the government for the American people while rejecting the radical spending demands of Congressional Democrats. Today, that commitment prevailed.

The shutdown Democrats manufactured is finally over. The Left gained nothing. The American people deserve better, and Republicans are committed to delivering responsible governance moving forward.

Members of the Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) leadership team released the following statements after the House officially reopened the government:

"For over six weeks, Democrats held our country hostage over demands for healthcare for illegal aliens and to prove to their base they could 'stand up' to President Trump. The Republican Study Committee stood firm in rejecting any extension of COVID-era insurance subsidies that fuel fraud and drive up costs for American families, and in preventing Democrats from using the Christmas holidays to force a wasteful omnibus through Congress. Let me be clear: Democrats gained nothing from their shutdown while hardworking families paid the price. Now, it is time to get back to governing and delivering on the mandate we were given by the American people last November," said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).

“This federal government shutdown, which was embraced by Democrats, was avoidable, and sadly, our troops, more than 42 million SNAP recipients across the country, and federal workers bore the brunt, said Rep. Ben Cline. The Democrats’ strategy to hold the government hostage crumbled after 43 days. I was proud to vote for the clean continuing resolution to keep the government open and essential services running through January, ending this needless pain and suffering for the American people," said RSC Vice-Chair Ben Cline (VA-06).

“During their own government shutdown that has lasted for over 40 days, Democrats in Washington deliberately chose gaslighting over governance and disarray over discernment. Every step of the way, Republicans have been the ones who have voted to keep the government open and continue uninterrupted service to our most important constituency: the American people. This brainless Democrat government shutdown is now at an end – Republicans remain unified and undeterred in accelerating, and delivering upon, the America First agenda,” said Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee Virginia Foxx (NC-05).

"The historically long and grueling Schumer Shutdown made one thing clear: Democrats were willing to let Americans suffer for political gain. But today, Republicans are taking the lead to govern the right way: putting America First, families first, and our future first. The best days for our great nation are still ahead,” said RSC Messaging Task Force Chair Mark Alford (MO-04).

"Today, the Republican-led House put the final nail in the coffin of the Democrats’ disastrous shutdown - a reckless stunt by Chuck Schumer to appease the radical Marxist base that now controls his party. This shutdown hurt millions of Americans, damaged our economy, and endangered air safety, all for politics. I’m grateful to President Trump and his Administration for skillfully managing resources to limit the harm caused by Democrats’ feckless tantrum. Now it’s time for the House to move at warp speed to advance our America First agenda - lowering costs, raising wages, and creating more jobs for American workers,” said RSC Budget and Spending Task Force Chair Beth Van Duyne (TX-24).

“This was never a red or blue issue, this was about working together to open the government for the American people," said RSC National Security Task Force Chair Zach Nunn (IA-03). "While I'm glad we finally ended the gridlock, my Democratic colleagues need to understand what their political gamesmanship cost Iowa. I spent this completely avoidable shutdown hearing directly from Iowans who were missing paychecks, losing access to services, and worrying about how to feed their families. The deal we passed today was on the table more than a month ago, and we should have reached it before this shutdown ever began."

“For six weeks, Americans endured needless uncertainty as Democrats peddled fear and misinformation. Despite Chuck Schumer’s best efforts, their political stunt accomplished nothing. I applaud the handful of Senate Democrats who chose common sense and joined Republicans to end this senseless shutdown. Now, Congress can get back to work lowering costs for families, making our nation safer, and restoring American energy dominance,” said RSC HEAT Task Force Chair Troy Balderson (OH-12).

“American families have paid the price for the Democrats’ decision to keep the government closed for six long weeks.  Their reckless and performative standstill accomplished nothing other than imposing hardship on millions of people. Meanwhile, President Trump and Republicans stepped up to ease the burden on our hardworking citizens and to get our country back on track. Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, on putting the needs of the American people first,” said RSC Article One Task Force Chair Harriet Hageman (WY-AL).

“The six-week Democrat shakedown hurt American families, delayed vital benefits and paychecks, and grounded flights—all for nothing. From day one, Republicans were ready to reopen the government, protect working families, and restore common sense to Washington. Democrats wasted six weeks, billions in productivity, and the patience of the American people—just to admit Republicans were right all along,” said RSC Emerging Technologies Task Force Chair Kat Cammack (FL-03).

“Democrats held government funding hostage for six weeks, which resulted in nothing other than the suffering of millions of hardworking Americans. When Democrats refused to reopen the government, it was Congressional Republicans and President Trump who took action to help pay our troops and keep vital programs operational while continuing to fight to end the shutdown. With the government now open, we can begin undoing the pain caused by the Democrat-led shutdown and focus on finding commonsense, fiscally responsible solutions to the issues facing the American people,” said House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Kevin Hern (OK-01).

“Today, I voted to end the Schumer Shutdown and get our government back to work. For 43 days, hardworking Americans missed paychecks, worried about feeding their families, and faced disruptions in vital services. We’ve said it from the start: our military, federal firefighters, and air traffic controllers should never be used as political pawns,” said Congressman Bean. “The bill we passed funds the government through January 30, and fully supports our veterans and farmers. Along with my House Republican colleagues, I’ll keep fighting for a government that works for the people—not against them,” said Rep. Aaron Bean (FL-04).

“Today, House Republicans voted to keep government doors open just as we did back in September. Make no mistake, the pain endured by Americans over the past six weeks is on the Democrats. For six weeks, while families worried about feeding their families, flight safety, and the paychecks of hardworking servicemembers, Democrats held the country hostage. The American people deserve better than partisan theater. Now we move forward, but let it be clear: this was the Republicans ending a Democrat shutdown,” said Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15).

“The long, nationwide nightmare of the Democrat government shutdown is finally over. More than seven weeks ago, House Republicans voted for a clean budget bill to keep the government open, pay our federal workers and military, and ensure taxpayers received their benefits. It’s shameful that so many Democrats like Senator Baldwin put politics ahead of the American people for the sake of last week’s elections, but tonight, we ended their hostage racket and delivered funding to strengthen care for veterans, support farmers, and provide stability for hardworking families,” said Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07).

“For over 40 days, Senate Democrats held our nation hostage—blocking paychecks for air traffic controllers and putting food assistance for millions at risk. In the end, they achieved nothing but creating chaos. I’m proud to stand with President Trump and House Republicans to reopen the government and get back to delivering the America First agenda,” said Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06).

“For six long weeks, Senate Democrats kept the government closed while families, service members and federal workers paid the price,” said Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18). “They openly admitted Americans needed to suffer for political leverage, and in the end, they achieved nothing. This became the longest shutdown in our nation’s history, with no policy gain to justify it. House Republicans did our job from the start by passing clean funding bills that held spending steady and protected essential programs. Democrats chose brinkmanship instead, delaying paychecks, freezing flood insurance, slowing agricultural labor approvals during Florida’s peak harvest season and creating needless uncertainty for families who rely on federal support. President Trump stood firm with us to bring this stalemate to an end and stand with the American people. I am grateful this senseless shutdown is finally over and will continue working to ensure our government honors its commitments to those it serves.”

“The fact that Democrats are accepting the very same deal that’s been in front of them for six weeks shows that this shutdown was just a political stunt. As soon as they fully realized that Republicans were not going to give in to their $1.5 trillion ransom note, they completely caved. This was a deeply irresponsible move that shows that Democrats in Congress care more about vainly chasing power and getting attention than they care about helping working families in America,” said Rep. Mike Haridopolos (FL-08).

“On Veterans Day, I spent time across my District with families who were struggling from the effects of the Democrats’ shutdown. I heard from veterans who have selflessly served this country and their families who have made considerable sacrifices for our great country. Despite their pain, they urged me to hold the line. I am proud to say that I and my fellow Republicans have done just that, and I believe the results will benefit all citizens,” said Rep. Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08). “The Democrats accomplished nothing with their senseless shutdown, except to show – without a doubt – that they do not put Americans first.”