Barrasso: Democrats Prepare for Another Shutdown

"Senator Schumer has proven he is willing to disrupt travel, delay paychecks, and endanger our national security when he thinks it helps him politically. He may have said on this Floor he wants to avoid a shutdown. His actions signal Democrats are ready to do it again."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today spoke about Democrats' track record of inflicting painful and prolonged government shutdowns on the American people.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso's remarks as prepared:

"The American people deserve to have a government that is fully funded.

"Last week, the Minority Leader claimed on this Floor he wants to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. It's time for him to prove it. His record shows the exact opposite.

"The appropriation bills have historically passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Yet when Senator Schumer was Majority Leader during the Biden years, he blocked every single appropriations bill from coming to the Floor. Eleven bipartisan appropriation bills that passed out of committee died in the wastebasket next to the desk of Senator Schumer.

"When Democrats were in the majority, they literally shut down the entire appropriations process. After Democrats lost the elections in 2024, they revolted and shut down the government twice. The two Schumer Shutdowns broke records.

"First, in October 2025, Democrats shut down the entire federal government. It lasted for 43 days. It was the longest government shutdown in history.

"During that shutdown, Senator Schumer infamously said, 'Every day gets better for us.' Every day did not get better for hardworking Americans. Federal workers missed paychecks. Because of the shutdown of TSA, flights were cancelled, and screening lines at airports lasted for hours.

"Then, in February of this year, Democrats did it again. They shut down the Department of Homeland Security. That shutdown lasted for 75 days. The shutdown of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol lasted even longer.

"Democrats voted to defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Democrats voted to defund the United States Border Patrol. Democrats voted to protect illegal immigrant criminals rather than protect law-abiding American citizens.

"Senator Schumer has proven he is willing to disrupt travel, delay paychecks, and endanger our national security when he thinks it helps him politically. He may have said on this Floor he wants to avoid a shutdown. His actions signal Democrats are ready to do it again. Just last month, Senator Schumer said

shutdowns were 'strategic decisions.'

"Democrats already shut down the government twice. A third shutdown would be just as painful for the American people, or worse. Democrat shutdowns make life less affordable. Democrat shutdowns make life less safe. The American people deserve better.

"Senator Susan Collins, the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is working hard to fix what Senator Schumer broke. She is working to put bipartisan bills on the Floor. She is working to keep the government open. That is how the appropriations process is meant to work.

"House Republicans will soon vote on a bill that funds the government until after the election in November.

"Here in the Senate, Senator Collins continues to lead with integrity, intelligence, and bipartisanship. She has a long and respected record of working across the aisle. She has presented good faith offers to Democrats. Democrats continue to reject them. They demand more spending for fraud-ridden programs. They are threatening to stonewall every single appropriations bill this year.

"Democrats are not trying to avoid a shutdown. They're preparing for another one.

"Here's what another Democrat Shutdown would mean. A Democrat shutdown means longer lines at the airport. A Democrat Shutdown means our troops miss paychecks. A Democrat Shutdown means TSA agents miss paychecks. A Democrat Shutdown undermines our national security. A Democrat shutdown hurts our veterans and seniors.

"Senator Schumer says he wants to avoid a shutdown. Time will tell. Republicans are focused on funding the government in a serious, timely, and bipartisan way."

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