“Senator Schumer has said he wants to avoid a shutdown. It’s time to prove it. The question is: Do Democrats in this body have the courage to stand up to the extremists who have taken over their party?”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today urged Senate Democrats to vote to keep the government open instead of causing another painful shutdown.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

“The American people deserve a government that is open and is functioning. The American people know that government shutdowns cause significant pain to them personally and harm to our nation.

“There have been two painful shutdowns in the last year. Democrats in this body caused them both. Democrats have proven they are willing to make life harder and America less safe. They think it helps them politically.

“In October 2025, Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats chose to shut down the entire government. The shutdown lasted for 43 days. That’s a record. Senator Schumer infamously boasted, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ Every day did not get better for American people. American families were collateral damage in Democrats’ dangerous political games.

“Service members were unable to pay their mortgages. Their families went without vital services. Flights were canceled. Airport screening lines stretched for hours. Park rangers and TSA agents missed paychecks. Government employees struggled to make ends meet. Many stood in lines around the block at food banks across the country. Forty-two million Americans missed food assistance. Our economy lost billions and billions of dollars.

“Less than four months later, Democrats did it again. That time, they blocked funding for the Department of Homeland Security. That shutdown lasted for 75 days for the Department of Homeland Security.

“Democrats voted to defund American law enforcement agencies. That seems to be their mantra. Defund the police. Get rid of ICE. Get rid of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Open the borders. Let anybody in. That’s who that party is now. And we’re seeing it even today in the Michigan primary where they have radical, extreme, dangerous, scary people running and who may win primaries and have been winning Democrat primaries across the country.

“These are people who put the safety and security of the American people at risk. They do it because they think it may give them a political advantage. It doesn’t help the American people.

“Recall that, during that shutdown, our nation faced multiple terrorist attacks. In Texas, a man wearing clothing that said ‘Property of Allah’ shot into a crowded restaurant. Several people were killed. In Michigan, a man whose family member was tied to Hezbollah rammed a truck filled with explosives into a synagogue. Over a hundred children and their teachers were inside. That is the threat we face.

“By shutting down the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats put the safety of illegal immigrant criminals over the safety of law-abiding citizens.

“Will Democrats now choose to shut down the government a third time? Time will tell. The onus is on them. Right now, Democrats are stonewalling every single appropriations bill in committee. It is shameful.

“Senator Susan Collins continues to work to fund the government. Bipartisanship and integrity define her leadership. Democrats rejected every good faith offer she has made.

“Recall that when Joe Biden was President and Democrats controlled Congress, Senator Schumer blocked 11 of 12 appropriations bills from even coming to the Floor. Republicans are determined to repair the damage done by Senator Schumer and the Democrats.

“Senator Collins has carefully crafted a reasonable continuing resolution. It keeps the government open. Last night, the United States Senate took the first step to pass it.

“Here is the choice facing every Senate Democrat this week. Vote to keep the government open or force the nation into yet another painful shutdown.

“Americans have already lived through two Schumer Shutdowns. They should not have to live through a third. Americans have suffered enough.

“Senator Schumer has said he wants to avoid a shutdown. It’s time to prove it. The question is: Do Democrats in this body have the courage to stand up to the extremists who have taken over their party?”

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