Senate Republicans Urge United States Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to Put People Over Politics to End the Government Shutdown

Albany, NY- Members of the New York State Senate Republican Conference sent a letter toUnited States Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, urging them to set aside politics, prioritize the needs of the people of New York, and vote for the clean continuous resolution to reopen and fund the federal government.

The United States government has remained shut down for 30 days. The shutdown is having a domino effect throughout New York State, impacting childcare, heating assistance, nutrition assistance, housing programs, and veteran services while Federal employees and contractors go without pay.

A clean continuing resolution to reopen and fund the federal government has passed the House of Representatives but has failed to reach the 60-vote threshold in the United States Senate thirteen times, due to near-unanimous opposition from Democratic Senators.

“With no continuing resolution (CR) the government is at a standstill, and detrimental effects are already being felt by our dedicated federal workers who have gone close to a month without being paid. Equally concerning, the prolonged shutdown now threatens essential services that countless New Yorkers rely on, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Head Start preschool program, and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). These programs are lifelines for our most vulnerable citizens. Minority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand have the ability to end the devastating impacts of this shutdown, especially on the most vulnerable New Yorkers, by working with the members of their Democratic Caucus to vote on a clean continuing resolution to end the shutdown immediately,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

“Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, both from New York, should be ashamed of themselves.  With every Republican already voting yes, all these Democrats have to do is vote yes to keep the government open and it will happen.  Instead, they would rather make New Yorkers suffer because of their warped belief that it will personally help them to get elected,” said Senate Republican Deputy Leader Andrew Lanza.

“New York State’s frontline Democrats have the choice to act immediately to bring this shutdown to an end and get the federal government back to work by delivering a paycheck to federal employees and supporting the essential programs and services that millions of New Yorkers depend on. It’s long past time for the Democrats to stop exercising their political power and instead prioritize the everyday needs of workers, families,children, seniors and other vulnerable citizens in our state and across America. End the shutdown,” said Senator Tom O’Mara, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance and Government Operations.

“It’s time to end the political showdown and re-open the federal government. Upstate families, seniors, veterans, and our farmers are counting on our U.S. Senators to do their jobs and pass a clean Continuing Resolution,” said Senator Pam Helming, Chair of the Republican Conference.

“It is imperative that the United States Senate pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) to reopen the government as soon as possible. This requires Senate Democrats to demonstrate bipartisanship by supporting the measure. I, along with the residents of my district, am very concerned about the ongoing federal shutdown. It’s time to move forward and get the government back to work,” said Senator Bill Weber, ranking member of the Senate Budget and Revenue Committee.

“New Yorkers don’t care about partisan gridlock — they care about getting paid, feeding their families, and keeping their homes warm. As this federal shutdown drags into its fifth week, families across our state are being hurt while Washington Democrats and Governor Hochul play politics with their safety and livelihoods.

If Governor Hochul were truly concerned about SNAP, HEAP and other critical programs she would put down the microphone, pick up the telephone and tell Chuck Schumer to stop holding New York families hostage and pass the Continuing Resolution that would have funded these programs.

Let’s be clear — this is a Schumer shutdown. Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats have said no 13 times — 13 times to essential services, 13 times to SNAP, 13 times to helping New Yorkers when they need it most. Leadership means stepping up when it’s hard — not digging in when people are hurting.  Governor Hochul should do her job and tell Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand to put New Yorkers first and vote immediately on a clean continuing resolution to end this shutdown,” said Senator Steve Rhoads, representing 5th SD.

“New York’s federal senators need to stop their antics, vote for the clean continuing resolution and reopen our government. Their obstinance is now hurting New York’s vulnerable children and families and inexcusably demanding essential federal employees work without pay. They are directly responsible for this unnecessary and increasingly dangerous shutdown. Enough is enough,” said Senator Alexis Weik, representing 8th SD.