House Democrats Should Remember Their Own Advice on Shutting Down the Government

WASHINGTON — Under President Biden, House Democrats warned that a government shutdown would have negative effects for seniors, veterans, and working families. This year under President Trump, their tune has completely changed as they continue to threaten government shutdowns. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries in 2024: “It's about the harm... Families will be hurt. Farmers will be hurt… If the government shuts down, holiday travel will be impacted. The ability of everyday Americans to visit their family, their friends, their loved ones will be impacted. Border security and border patrol agents will not be paid. TSA agents will not be paid. Small businesses will be hurt in every single community in this country.” Rep. Katherine Clark in 2023: “So let’s take a moment to talk about the people who are truly at the center of this story… It’s the service members who will work without a paycheck. It’s the firefighters that will be furloughed. It’s the early educators who will have to leave their classroom. It’s the moms and parents who will be left scrambling for childcare.” Rep. Pete Aguilar in 2023: “House Republicans are leading the country towards a reckless government shutdown that will take food off the table for mothers and children and force our servicemembers to work without pay.” Rep. Ted Lieu in 2024: “A government shutdown will hurt everyday Americans.” Rep. Joe Neguse in 2023: “The consequences of a government shutdown will be devastating — for our troops, law enforcement, working families, our economy and every American.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2019: “ It is not normal to shut down the government when we don’t get what we want.” Rep. Eric Swalwell in 2024: “We are headed toward a government shutdown, and Republicans know it will hurt people: small business loans delayed, VA offices closed, and federal workers forced to work without pay during the holidays.” Rep. Ayanna Pressley in 2024: “This [government] shutdown, do you know who is going to feel the pain? You know who it hurts? You. everyday people and the most vulnerable — seniors, veterans, working families, hungry kids y’all.” House Democrats Consistently Voted for Continuing Resolutions Under Biden 117th Congress (Jan 2021 – Jan 2023) Date Bill CR Duration House Vote Dem “No” Sep 30, 2021 H.R. 5305 — Extending Government Funding & Delivering Emergency Assistance Act to Dec 3, 2021 254–175 ( Roll 311 ) 0 Dec 2, 2021 H.R. 6119 — Further Extending Government Funding Act to Feb 18, 2022 221–212 ( Roll 399 ) 0 Feb 8, 2022 H.R. 6617 — Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act to Mar 11, 2022 272–162 ( Roll 39 ) 1 Sep 30, 2022 H.R. 6833 — Continuing Appropriations & Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 to Dec 16, 2022 230–201 ( Roll 476 ) 0 Dec 14, 2022 H.R. 1437 — Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023 to Dec 23, 2022 224–201 ( Roll 523 ) 0 117th Congress Total: 5 CRs — 4 CRs with 0 Democratic nays 118th Congress (Jan 2023 – Jan 2025) Date Bill CR Duration House Vote Dem “No” Sep 30, 2023 H.R. 5860 — Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 to Nov 17, 2023 335–91 ( Roll 513 ) 1 Nov 14, 2023 H.R. 6363 — Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 (Laddered CR) to Jan 19 & Feb 2, 2024 336–95 ( Roll 658 ) 2 Jan 18, 2024 H.R. 2872 — Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 (Extend Laddered CR) New Deadlines Mar 1 & Mar 8, 2024 314–108 ( Roll 15) 2 Feb 29, 2024 H.R. 7463 — Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 to Mar 8 & Mar 22, 2024 320–99 ( Roll 106 ) 2 Sep 25, 2024 H.R. 9747 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to Dec 20, 2024 341–82 ( Roll 450 ) 0 Dec 20, 2024 H.R. 10545 — Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 to Mar 14, 2025 366–34–1 ( Roll 517 ) 0 119th Congress (Jan 2025 – Present) Date Bill CR Duration House Vote Dem “Yea” Mar 11, 2025 H.R. 1968 — Full-Year Continuing Appropriations & Extensions Act, 2025 to Sep 30, 2025 217–213 ( Roll 70 ) 1 The Bottom Line: House Democrats are suddenly ready to hold government funding hostage — risking benefits for seniors, veterans’ services, and paychecks for some working families — all to score cheap points against President Trump. Republicans are offering a clean, responsible bill to that would prevent Democrats from holding the government hostage to their partisan demands. ###