Shutdowns never work

By U.S. Rep. Tom Cole
R-Oklahoma

Today marks October 22. This means it has been 22 days since Chuck Schumer directed his caucus to irresponsibly shut down the government. Twenty days since the Democrats put politics over principle – and they continue to do so every single day.

Democrats are holding the government hostage because they think they can force negotiations on a matter unrelated to government funding. They think this is how they can appease their radical Left base by drawing a line in the sand. However, if I've learned anything in my eleven terms in Congress, it is this: shutdowns do not work.

So, what do government shutdowns accomplish?

They accomplish chaos and uncertainty. They create long-lasting damage that ripples far past our nation’s capital. They furlough federal employees throughout the country and leave military families wondering if they will receive their paychecks and benefits on time. They throw our energy dominance and national security into jeopardy. 

They leave air traffic controllers grappling with understaffed offices. They hurt small business owners who have no choice but to weigh staff layoffs due to disrupted contracts. They put the WIC benefits of mothers and infants at risk. They result in delayed services for veterans who served our nation so honorably. 

They threaten healthcare services due to the inability to process grants needed to support rural hospitals. 

They jeopardize flood insurance right during the middle of hurricane season. They even grind typical government functions like passport processing and food inspections to a halt.

Yet, when the government finally reopens and all this damage has been done, there will be no real victory. Instead, billions of dollars will have been wasted, public trust in Congress will be low, and the American people will have unfortunately paid the price for the Democrats’ temper tantrum.

These are just some of the reasons why I have consistently spoken out against government shutdowns. Shutting the government down is not a sign of strength and principle. I actually think it is just the opposite, as the Democrats’ decision to use the livelihoods of Americans as leverage is simply just wrong.

So, in conclusion, as I have done every single day of this shutdown, I’d like to urge the Democrats to put aside the political games. It is time for them to put the American people first and join the Republicans in voting to open the government.