What They Are Saying: Stakeholder Comments on Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C.— As Senate Democrats continue to force a government shutdown, stakeholders from across the political spectrum are weighing in on its impact and the path forward. From fiscal watchdogs to policy advocates, all agree the shutdown threatens economic stability, taxpayers, and public services.
Read what top stakeholders are saying:
America First Policy Institute
10/5/2025
“This isn’t politics, it’s about PEOPLE. Families deserve a government that works, not one that shuts down and leaves women and children paying the price. A CLEAN Continuing Resolution (CR), which is a short-term bill that keeps our government open and funded, must be passed now!”
10/1/2025
“This shutdown was entirely avoidable, Republicans put forward a reasonable plan to fund the government and protect taxpayers. Democrats chose partisanship over practical governance. Americans deserve better than this kind of dysfunction.” -Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer
10/3/2025
“House Republicans have already done their job. They voted for a clean CR as funding levels Democrats have already approved several times over the last two years. This unserious laundry list of progressive demands proves that Democrats are responsible for this government shutdown. This is not a negotiation over policy, it is an act of political cowardice. Simply put, Chuck Schumer is afraid of losing his job. Now, the country must suffer so he can prove that he is ‘hardcore’ enough for his base.” -Isabelle Morales, Federal Affairs Manager
9/30/2025
“Once again, Washington gridlock has taken priority over governing responsibly, leaving millions of Americans to bear the consequences. This shutdown is a failure by those elected to serve hardworking families, taxpayers, and businesses.
“As long as this shutdown continues, lawmakers and their constituents alike will feel the impacts of lost wages and economic opportunity in their communities. The Small Business Administration will stop approving new small business loans. Food safety efforts will deteriorate, and pregnant mothers will go hungrier once WIC shuts down. Schools that need assistance may not be able to reach someone at the Department of Education. New cancer drug trials will be halted and patients turned away from enrolling in potentially life-saving studies.
“Members of Congress from both parties and the executive branch must come together immediately to end this shutdown, provide transparency into all agency contingency planning, and commit to reforms that stop this cycle from repeating. The stakes are too high for political brinksmanship. Americans deserve stability, accountability, and bipartisan leadership focused on the nation’s long-term fiscal and economic health.” - Margret Spelling, President and CEO
10/1/2025
“The shutdown fight may grab media attention, but the real crisis is what’s happening when the government is open for business. Let’s be clear: A shutdown doesn’t mean the government disappears, Social Security checks still go out, troops stay on duty; it’s mostly parks and federal offices that close. And it’s temporary. Once a shutdown ends, federal employees receive back pay. In other words, there are no taxpayer savings — just a costly pause in orderly government operations.” - Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy
Heritage
10/1/2025
“Instead of working to keep our government running, Democrats in Congress are playing a dangerous game, putting politics over people and holding the government hostage to force through their $1.5 trillion woke wish list. “While Republicans have put a clean, commonsense bill on the table to keep the lights on, Democratic leadership and their radical allies would rather grind everything to a halt unless their extreme demands are met. It’s reckless, it’s partisan, and the American people deserve better.” - Richard Stern, Director of Economic Policy Studies
9/30/2025
"Shutdowns are always bad for taxpayers. They typically cost the economy billions of dollars a day, many public services shut down, and if past is prologue taxpayers will end up paying for workers to stay home. This time, the stakes may be even higher, with a battle over impoundment taking center stage.” - Steve Ellis, President
