On September 19, 2025, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, a temporary continuing resolution which would fund the government until November 21, 2025. Nearly every House Democrat and the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats have voted to oppose this measure. This bill has been brought to the Senate floor by Leader Thune almost a dozen times, each time failing to pass. While a few Democrat Senators have joined their Republican colleagues, this legislation requires 60 votes in the Senate in order to become law.
The disappointing reality is this situation was totally avoidable. The continuing resolution put forward for consideration mirrors the same extensions that the vast majority of Democrats voted to support 13 times over the past two years. Democrats have proven that they would rather play games by holding the pay of millions of Americans hostage. Shutdowns cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars daily and result in overall economic decline.
Making matters worse, according to a new study [can we say who the study was conducted by?], Oklahoma is ranked in the top ten states that will be negatively affected by the shutdown. This is due in part to our percentage of federal workers at military bases like Tinker AFB, Fort Sill, McAlester, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and countless other federal facilities and contractors. Many of these individuals have been furloughed or are working without pay, which has terrible consequences. The first is the financial uncertainty faced by thousands of Oklahomans who live paycheck to paycheck. The second is on the effects on our military readiness and preparedness. These are real consequences that cannot be ignored, but sadly Senate Democrats are more concerned about appeasing their far-left base.
Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, our service members were not forced to go without pay on October 15th. In addition, President Trump is also using tariff revenue to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This is a lifesaver for Americans who rely on WIC to feed and support their families. I am grateful for the efforts of President Trump to make this shutdown less painful for Americans in need.
Democrats need to stop playing political games. The wellbeing and livelihoods of millions of Americans are on the line. I’m calling on Senate Democrats to vote to reopen the government so we can get back to work of the American people.
