Chairmen Pfluger and Mast: Democrats' Shutdown Are Giving Our Enemies the Green Light
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two Republican chairmen on Capitol Hill who served in combat are warning that Senate Democrats' government shutdown is crippling military readiness while China, Iran, and Russia grow increasingly aggressive. Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast (FL-21) authored an op-ed in The Washington Examiner blasting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for orchestrating a shutdown that has gutted military operations. Service members involved in critical training have been yanked from assignments mid-mission, personnel on temporary duty orders have been recalled before completing essential tasks, and equipment sits unrepaired while America's adversaries advance unchecked.
The chairmen slam Democrats for blocking a clean continuing resolution that would immediately restore military operations, instead holding national defense hostage for partisan demands, including free healthcare for illegal aliens and hundreds of billions in reckless spending.
"Every day this shutdown continues is another day our enemies grow bolder and our military grows weaker," the chairmen wrote. "Republicans stand ready to reopen the government at a moment's notice, but we will never allow our servicemen and women to be turned into political pawns used by the Democrats to achieve their dreams of giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants and exploding the national debt."
The two combat veterans have seen firsthand the consequences of political interference with military readiness. Chairman Pfluger is a 20-year Air Force fighter pilot now serving in the Reserves and Chairman Mast is a U.S. Army veteran who served for over a decade.