The government shutdown is hurting Iowans

The Democrat government shutdown continues to harm Iowa families, troops, veterans, farmers and small businesses.

I voted to keep the government open by supporting a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution that would have funded operations for seven weeks, without any new spending, while giving Congress time to finish appropriations responsibly.

But Senate Democrats rejected it, voting 10 times to keep the government closed. Instead, they’re demanding $1.5 trillion in new spending and taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants.

Right now, more than 1,800 Iowa National Guard troops serving overseas are not being paid. Thousands of military families are living paycheck to paycheck while selflessly defending our country and they deserve to be paid to support themselves and their families.

About 550 federal civilian employees supporting the Guard, including aviation technicians, mechanics and flight crew, have been furloughed. Readiness is being stretched thin, with aircraft and vehicles unable to receive timely maintenance and 48,400 hours of work already lost.

The ripple effects of this shutdown are being felt in every corner of our state.

•18,000 federal workers in Iowa are working without pay.

•62,000 mothers and children who rely on nutritional support face uncertainty as WIC funding dries up.

•267,000 Iowans, including 104,000 children, could soon face disruptions to SNAP benefits.

•$16 million in small business loans through the SBA are frozen, leaving entrepreneurs unable to expand or make payroll.

•Iowa’s economy is losing roughly $137 million per week as the shutdown continues.

Nationally, the consequences are just as severe. Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are working without pay, risking delays and safety concerns. Telehealth services for seniors have been canceled, veterans’ programs delayed, and essential law enforcement operations strained.

As a 24-year Army veteran, I know what it means to serve through tough times. That’s why I cosponsored the Pay Our Troops Act, which guarantees our service members receive their pay during a shutdown. I also support the Eliminate Shutdowns Act, which would ensure Americans never have to endure this chaos again by automatically continuing government operations when funding lapses.

Iowa’s families, farmers and federal workers deserve stability and leadership, not politics and gridlock. It’s time for Democrats in the Senate to put people before partisanship and vote to reopen the government immediately.

Grateful to the 10,000+ Iowans who joined my Telephone Town Hall this week.

I answered questions from federal employees working without pay, mothers concerned about WIC, and many other constituents who are being directly impacted.

This shutdown is hurting Iowans and has to end. It's time for my Democrat colleagues to put people ahead of politics, end the Schumer shutdown and vote to reopen the government.

It was great talking to Adjutant General Stephen Osborne about how the Iowa National Guard is doing amid the shutdown.

From generals to young soldiers, everyone is working without pay. This shutdown has had detrimental effects on our readiness, and the lives our troops and their families. It has to end.

Had the privilege of joining Muscatine County Sheriff’s Sergeant Leza and Sheriff Riess for a ride-along to see firsthand the dedication and professionalism of our local deputies. Their commitment to protecting our communities is unmatched.

I’ll always Back the Blue and fight to ensure law enforcement has the tools and support needed to keep Iowa families safe.

It was such a joy visiting Oskaloosa Elementary School. I had the privilege of reading to Mrs. Mason’s third grade class and touring the school with their incredible fifth grade student ambassadors.

Thank you to the dedicated teachers, staff and students for the warm welcome.

Congratulations to Cedar County Co-op on 90 years of serving Iowa farmers, an incredible milestone. Their new grain storage facility, holding 1 million bushels, shows how Iowa agriculture continues to invest, grow, and feed the world.

Great stop at Little Mexico in Mt. Pleasant, a family-owned restaurant that’s as authentic as it is hardworking. We talked about how provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts, like No Tax on Tips and the permanent 199A deduction, are making a real difference for Iowa small businesses.

In my Indianola office I took calls and helped constituents affected by the shutdown. I’ve heard from Iowans worried about our military missing paychecks and delayed services.

It’s time for my Democrat colleagues to put their constituents first, not the demands of the radical progressive wing of their party, and vote to reopen the government.