U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate regarding the possibility of a government shutdown, attributing the risk to actions by Senate Democrats. In his remarks, Barrasso argued that a shutdown would have widespread effects on Americans and criticized Democratic leadership for what he described as political maneuvering.
“Once again, Senate Democrats are threatening to shut down the federal government. A government shutdown is bad for everyone. The cost of a Democrat shutdown is staggering. Reopening the government again costs even more. And who pays the price of a Schumer Shutdown? It’s not the people in this room. It’s hardworking Americans,” Barrasso said.
He emphasized that seniors relying on Social Security could face delays in services and applications if a shutdown occurs. “Seniors who rely on Social Security will be impacted. People living on a fixed income budget down to the dollar. They need to pay for rent, groceries, and prescriptions. Then, Democrats decide they can wait. A Democrat shutdown means customer service and applications at the Social Security Administration are delayed.”
Barrasso also highlighted concerns about military families and Border Patrol agents, noting potential financial uncertainty for those groups during a shutdown period: “Many military families live paycheck to paycheck. They will face uncertainty… Border Patrol agents put their lives on the line every day. They would be forced to do so without a paycheck.”
The senator referenced national parks in Wyoming, such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, warning that closures would impact both tourism and local businesses: “National Parks risk being closed as well… Under a Schumer Shutdown, those plans will be forced to be cancelled. Local businesses like hotels and restaurants lose revenue.”
Barrasso attributed responsibility for any potential disruption to Democratic leaders in Congress: “This is what Democrats are risking. This is what Democrats threaten with their reckless talk of a shutdown… Shutdowns are political acts. Political acts are choices.”
He pointed out recent bipartisan efforts by Republicans in passing appropriations bills before the August recess, contrasting this with previous actions by Democratic leadership: “For the first time in four years, the Senate passed bipartisan appropriations bills before the August recess… That is something the current Minority Leader refused to do when the Democrats were in the majority.”
Barrasso cited specific statements from Democratic leaders suggesting resistance to stopgap measures or support for a shutdown: “Senator Schumer himself recently suggested a shutdown is preferable to accepting bipartisan solutions… Senator Cory Booker… said, ‘I’m going to block it.’”
He concluded by urging cooperation from Democrats: “To my Democrat colleagues, I say, stop the political theater… Let’s fund the government. Protect Social Security. Keep service members and border agents paid.”
“Senate Republicans are ready to keep the government open. Senate Democrats are preparing to shut it down,” Barrasso stated.
