Senate Democrats Vote for 10th Time to Keep Government Shut Down While Military Readiness Collapses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Democrats just voted for the tenth time to keep the government shut down, and America's military is paying the price. While Democrats play political games to secure healthcare for illegal aliens, military training has ground to a halt, combat readiness is collapsing, and commanders are spending their time helping troops pay to put food on their tables instead of preparing them for war.

The shutdown shows no signs of ending as Democrats are doubling down on their radical demands. Last night, 27 combat veterans and serving Reservists and Guardsmen in Congress sent a scathing letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer exposing the devastating toll his obstruction is taking on military readiness and demanding he end the shutdown immediately. This morning, Senate Democrats responded by voting once again to keep the government closed. 

The House passed a clean funding bill weeks ago. Democrats are choosing their radical agenda, including free healthcare for illegal aliens, over national security, while our combat edge erodes with each passing day.

Following this morning's vote, Republican Study Committee combat veterans and reservists who signed last night's letter pulled no punches:

"Senate Democrats have now voted against funding the government ten times. Our troops are paying the price and so is our national security,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11). “Critical training is halted and readiness is collapsing all because Minority Leader Schumer wants healthcare for illegal aliens more than a combat-ready military. We're losing months of combat readiness while our enemies watch and prepare. The House did its job. The President did his. Now it's the Democrats' turn: stop the games, open the government."

“Senate Democrats have now clearly said 10 times that they care more about partisan spending than paying our troops. I've heard from countless Iowans concerned about our military troops, from defending our borders to putting food on the table. Our troops don’t have the luxury of missing a shift or skipping a mission, and it's disgraceful that Democrats continue to use their paychecks, and America's national security, as leverage,” said RSC National Security Task Force Chair Zach Nunn (IA-03). 

“While the Democrats are partying on the rooftop of the DNC, our service members inch another day closer to missing their next paycheck. This is wrong. I hope Senate Democrats will stop wasting time sipping on cocktails in D.C. and vote for the Clean House passed CR to fund the government and pay our troops,” said Rep. Max Miller (OH-07).

"The Democrat-led Schumer shutdown jeopardizes military readiness and planning at a time when it is most critical. As a veteran and father to four sons who served, it is the obligation of the federal government to ensure stability for military families and veterans. I am grateful for President Trump’s efforts to ensure our servicemembers do not miss a paycheck. House Republicans have done our job, it is time for Democrats to end this shutdown,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02).

“Democrats have no respect for our troops and have gone too far by using our troops as pawns in their political games. Their reckless shutdown is weakening America’s military, hurting our servicemembers, and jeopardizing our national security,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13).

“Our servicemembers deserve more than just our thanks and a salute. We owe them and their families our unwavering support for their role in defending freedom. It is no secret that Senate Democrats have disgraced themselves by holding for ransom the livelihoods of those willing to lay down their lives for our country. Were it not for the swift intervention of President Trump to ensure our soldiers are paid this month, their ploy would have succeeded. It is time for Chuck Schumer to stop using our troops as collateral for his political ends and pass a clean CR immediately,” said Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17).

“Senate Democrats have now failed ten times to put partisanship aside and get our troops paid. Their vote against our men and women in uniform weakens America’s military readiness, threatening our national security and placing our warfighters in harm’s way. It’s past time for Chuck Schumer to reverse course and end this reckless shutdown,” said Rep. Troy Downing (MT-02).

“As veterans, we understand what service truly means. House Republicans and I have done everything we can to keep the government open and ensure our troops are funded. We passed a clean, responsible funding bill to protect the American people and those who serve them. But Senate Democrats are holding the government hostage over a $1.5 trillion partisan wish list. Our men and women in uniform deserve better than political games. It’s time for the Senate to act, reopen the government, fund our troops, and put the American people and the brave servicemembers who protect them first," said Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-07). 

“Many military families face food insecurity – and other hardships. That’s why President Trump moved mountains to ensure the troops were paid. It’s why I signed a letter with fellow veteran colleagues in the House, imploring Senate Democratic veterans that our heroes are not political collateral. While President Trump closes Nobel-worthy peace deals with Peace Through Strength, Democrats want to drag us back to weakness on the global stage, open borders, and welfare subsidies for illegals," said Rep. Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08).

“As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, I understand what’s at stake when our government fails to prepare. While Democrats block funding and stall for headlines, our troops and their families are left to pay the price,” said Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03). “I’m refusing my pay during this shutdown because when troops miss their paychecks, members of Congress shouldn’t cash theirs. While Senate Democrats play political games, our national security is put at risk, which is unacceptable.”

“I served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. I raised my young family while in the military, served through shutdowns, and know firsthand how missed paychecks impact our troops, military families, and even combat readiness. Thankfully, President Trump was able to reallocate funds to pay our troops, but this is not a permanent solution. Our national security is on the line. No more games from Senator Chuck Schumer—open the government and protect our troops’ pay,” said Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23).

“While the men and women who protect our country are still doing their job, they can't access our nation’s full arsenal of operations and support because 45% of civilian workers who handle logistics, maintenance, and base operations are furloughed,” said Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02). “This lack of support is drastically reducing readiness and our ability to protect America from Communist China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, and others who want to see our country fail. Additionally, our military families should not have to worry about how to buy groceries this week, or even next! A lack of resources to them weighs on the minds of their family members who fight for us and can impact their mental readiness."

“Our military’s readiness isn’t a bargaining chip. I’m proud to stand with my Republican Study Committee colleagues, all veterans and reservists, in calling out Senator Schumer for blocking Republicans’ clean continuing resolution. Every day Senate Democrats refuse to act, our troops and their families pay the price. It’s time to stop the games and get this government reopened,” said Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05).

"President Trump stepped up to ensure our Service Members received a paycheck but if Senate Democrats continue their unprecedented Schumer Shutdown Service Members will, unfortunately, join border patrol, air traffic controllers, and millions of other essential federal employees who are the victims of Democrat political games," said Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-01).