MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — House Republicans have passed a clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution to responsibly keep the government open through November 21, giving appropriators time to complete the full-year appropriations process through regular order. President Trump and Republicans in Congress stand united in support of this straightforward, responsible solution.

Democrats Demanded Schumer Step Down Following March CR Vote

• Ezra Levin, Co-Executive Director of Indivisible: “Schumer did the opposite. He led the charge to wave the white flag of surrender… Accordingly, Indivisible is calling for Chuck Schumer to step down from Senate Democratic leadership.”
• Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas): “I think Senate Democrats have to sit down and take a look and decide whether or not Chuck Schumer is the one to lead in this moment… So I definitely think that younger, fresher leadership may be something that many of us, not just depending on what part of the spectrum you’re on, but many Americans may be looking for, especially in the state of New York.”
• Rep. Alxandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.): “… and so to me, it is almost unthinkable why Senate Democrats would vote to hand the few pieces of leverage that we have away for free.”
• Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.): “I respect Chuck Schumer. I think he had a great, long-standing career. But I’m afraid that it may be time for the Senate Democrats to get a new leader.”

Meanwhile, Democrats are Admitting — On and Off the Record — Their Shutdown Strategy is About Politics

Democrats are openly conceding that the shutdown fight isn’t about doing what’s best for the country. It’s about proving to their base they will “fight Trump” — even if it means closing the government and jeopardizing the critical services millions of American families rely on.

• “I think people understand there would be hell to pay if we don’t put up a fight, but I also think this is a place where most members and the base authentically align,” (Axios, 09/26/25)
• “Obviously the base of the party wants to see that we’re not going along,” (Axios, 09/26/25)
• “I think it’s pretty safe to say that if Schumer folded and got nothing in return before [Oct. 1], he might as well just go to the UPS store and grab a U-Haul and clean out his office.” (Axios, 09/26/25)
• Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Virg.): “The base would be incensed if [Democrats] were seen as capitulating again.” (Axios, 09/26/25)
• “Democratic Senators increasingly see shutting down the government to send a message to President Trump as a political necessity,” (The Hill, 09/17/25)

Democrats Taking Their Cues from Outside Groups

Instead of voting for a continuing resolution to keep the government open and operating – as they did 13 times under President Biden – Democrats are working hand-in-hand with left-wing groups demanding confrontation at the expense of the American people.

• Indivisible, a left-wing activist group that received millions of dollars from the Soros family’s organization, is spearheading a pressure campaign to push Democratic senators to force a partial shutdown. (Daily Caller, 09/26/25)
• Andrew O’Neill, Indivisible’s National Advocacy Director: “Trading away leverage in exchange for a pinky promise isn’t a real strategy… Democrats should know better than to negotiate against themselves like this, and scrap this idea immediately.”
• One senior leader from a top grassroots organization told us they have been leveraging the upcoming nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest next month in conversations with Democrats. “You can either be a part of this movement or be irrelevant to it,’ the source said.” (Axios, 09/26/25)
• “Backing down and helping fund the government, like Democrats did in March, is unacceptable, the groups have told their team.” (Axios, 09/26/25)

Democrats Have Been Planning a Shutdown for Months

This is not a last-minute standoff. Democrats have been preparing to weaponize a shutdown since March when Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer responsibly helped avert a government shutdown, a move criticized by many on the left.

• Politico reported that as early as July, Democrats were “wrestling with shutdown strategy” and openly discussing how to use the September 30 deadline to score political points. (Politico, 07/21/25)

The Bottom Line

Polling shows over 60% of Americans have an unfavorable view of the Democrat Party — the lowest in 35 years. Their playbook has failed time and again.

Republicans are united on our clean, nonpartisan plan to keep the government open. Democrats are barreling toward a shutdown, not because it helps the American people, but because it helps their politics.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Rep. Don Beyer today announced that Nancy Eslick, who most recently served as Senior Deputy Assistant to the Administrator of the Resilience, Environment & Food Security (REFS) Bureau at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will receive the Clara Mortenson Beyer Women and Children First Award at his Ninth Annual Women’s Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience on Monday, October 6.

Since joining USAID in 2001, Nancy Eslick dedicated her career to serving vulnerable communities across the globe. She held key leadership roles including Mission Director in Bosnia & Herzegovina and Cambodia, Global Water Coordinator, and most recently, Senior Deputy Assistant to the Administrator in the Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS) Bureau. In February of this year, Nancy Eslick was one of thousands of USAID employees who lost their job during Donald Trump’s illegal attacks on the agency.

“Nancy’s more than two decades of leadership at USAID serves as a reminder of the profound difference American leadership can make in the world. The loss of her expertise and dedication along with that of so many of her colleagues from the federal civil service will do lasting damage to people in this country and around the world. It means fewer children with safe drinking water, fewer women with access to resources that allow them to thrive, and fewer communities with the tools needed to weather conflict, economic instability, and climate disasters,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Honoring Nancy is not only a celebration of her extraordinary service, but an urgent reminder to continue defending USAID’s mission. We owe it to Nancy, her former colleagues, and the communities they served to ensure that this mission endures.”  

Rep. Beyer’s Ninth Annual Women’s Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience will be held on Monday, October 6 at George Mason University’s new Fuse building in Arlington. The program will feature a discussion with Brooke Sydnor Curran, founder of Move2Learn; Lisa Jacobs, Executive Director of the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium; Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, Executive Director of Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR); and Ana Dionne-Lanier, Attorney at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. The discussion will be moderated by Nyree Wright, Executive Vice President of Crisis & Risk Communications at Edelman. The event is free to the public but capacity is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register online here.

Please note that in the event of a government shutdown, this event may be rescheduled.  

Rep. Beyer created the Clara Mortenson Beyer Women and Children First Award while Ambassador to Switzerland in 2011.  It is named after his grandmother, who is credited with convincing the Roosevelt Administration to appoint Frances Perkins, the first female Cabinet Secretary in the United States. Clara Beyer served as Secretary Perkins’ right hand, working on child labor issues. She was the first woman appointed as U.S. Representative to the International Labor Organization in Geneva. 

The award is given annually to recognize exceptional work to empower women. Previous awardees include Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tanya J. Bradsher, Dr. Tahera Ahmadi, journalist Marie Ridder, gun violence prevention advocate Naomi Wadler, rock climber Sasha DiGiulian, diplomat Betty King, PeaceWomen founder Ruth Gaby Vermot, journalist Lisa Feldmann, Arlington community activist Portia Clark, and immigration advocate Ofelia Calderón.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (MD-D) introduced the Help Federal Employees During Shutdowns (Help FEDS) Act. The bill ensures federal employees who are required to work during a government shutdown are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance (UI).

“Government funding runs out in less than 32 hours, and over half of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. If Congress can’t avert a shutdown, that doesn’t mean our constituents should have to suffer. The Help Federal Workers During Shutdowns Act is a small but meaningful fix to allow essential federal workers to be eligible for unemployment insurance during shutdowns,” said Congresswoman Elfreth (MD-03). “If we are asking these essential employees to go without pay and to keep providing their lifesaving services to the American people, the least we can do is provide them with some temporary financial support during these uncertain times.”

When there is a government shutdown, federal employees who are deemed “excepted” or “essential” are required to work without pay. The President and OMB Director have wide discretion over how many federal employees may be deemed essential. During the last government shutdown, when the Trump Administration was in charge, 420,000 federal employees were deemed essential, meaning that 420,000 were forced to work without pay. 

The Help FEDS (Federal Employees During a Shutdown) Act ensures federal employees who are required to work during a government shutdown are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance (UI). Essential employees will receive back pay thanks to legislation that Congress passed after the 2018/2019 shutdown. Under this bill, employees would have to pay back the UI when they receive back pay, and states will be reimbursed for the additional UI they would have to pay out. Furloughed employees during a shutdown are already eligible for UI. Elfreth’s legislation closes a loophole and puts excepted employees in parity with furloughed employees.

“Government shutdowns are deeply harmful to our country and to the civil servants who provide essential services the American people rely on. While our ultimate goal must be to prevent shutdowns entirely, Congress has a responsibility to shield public servants from the worst impacts when funding does lapse. Furloughed employees are already eligible for unemployment insurance, yet federal employees who are deemed essential and must still report to work face the same uncertainty of delayed paychecks – but with no safety net. Our legislation would extend unemployment insurance to these essential workers, ensuring they can continue paying their bills while serving the American people,” said Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08).

“The Trump Administration has waged a crusade against our federal workers since January, and Russell Vought is taking advantage of the looming shutdown in order to further villainize and traumatize the federal workforce,” said Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05). “I have seen how government shutdowns put intense strains on our federal workers, which is why I am proud to co-sponsor a bill with my friend, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, to ensure essential federal civilian employees have the resources they need to stay afloat in the event of a shutdown.”

Senator Alsobrooks introduced accompanying legislation in the Senate alongside Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD-D).

“President Trump, Elon Musk, and Russ Vought have shown us very clearly over the last 9 months that they do not care about our civil servants – the patriotic men and women that work on behalf of the American people under Democratic and Republican presidents alike. I will fight with all that I have to ensure our civil servants continue to be paid even if Republicans shut down the government because of their own incompetence,” said Senator Angela Alsobrooks (MD-D).

“Our patriotic, merit-based civil servants work on behalf of the American people every day, delivering essential public services for our country. They should not have to bear the brunt of a political dispute they have nothing to do with, which is why we are fighting to provide them with an economic lifeline should Republicans force a government shutdown,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD-D).

“Federal employees, through no fault of their own, are caught in the middle of a political dispute that could force them to go to work without knowing when they will be paid.  The Help FEDS Act would provide these nonpartisan civil servants with vital resources to help keep gas in their cars, provide food and necessary medicines for their family and give them peace of mind as they navigate a period of immense financial uncertainty while delivering essential services Americans depend on. I applaud Senator Alsobrooks and Rep. Elfreth for their efforts to help ease the burden placed on these dedicated public servants and for their leadership on this issue,” said Doreen Greenwald, NTEU National President.

The full bill text is available HERE. In the House, the legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Don Beyer (VA-08), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Danny Davis (IL-07), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Eleanor Norton (DC-AL), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and George Whitesides (CA-27). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Griffith Announces $47,000 Pipeline Emergency Response Grant to Franklin County

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Congressman Guthrie Calls on Senate Democrats to Vote to Keep Government Open

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement in response to the proposal the White House released yesterday in an attempt to end the Hamas-Israel war:

“On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a war on Israel with a horrific attack. This has resulted in unimaginable violence and suffering for innocent Israelis and Palestinians alike. With that said, I welcome the President’s proposal to finally bring this war to an end,” said Rep. Frankel.

“Israel has already accepted the deal. The decision now rests with Hamas. If Hamas agrees, this brutal war can end, the remaining hostages will be reunited with their families, Gazans will have a chance to have their communities rebuilt, and we will take an important step toward peace in the Middle East.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter slams Georgia Senators for voting to shut down the government: They’re putting Georgians last

Carter slams Georgia Senators for voting to shut down the government: They’re putting Georgians last

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Grothman Calls on House Democrats to Keep the Government Open

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democrats held a press event to make clear that as opposed to their Republican colleagues, Democrats are in Washington and ready to work to find a bipartisan deal to avoid a government shutdown and save the healthcare of the American people.

Leader Jeffries: It’s a high honor and a distinct privilege to stand here today with Members of the House Democratic Caucus who I want to thank for their grit, for their strength, for their intellect, for their heart, for their soul and for their fight on behalf of the American people. We are in this fight until we win this fight for the people. I want to thank Theresa from the great state of New Jersey, Tony from the great state—the Commonwealth—of Pennsylvania, as well as Catherine from the great state of Ohio for their presence here today, for sharing their stories, for being here on behalf of more than 300 million Americans who are having to deal with the Republican healthcare crisis.

Mr. President, allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m the House Democratic Leader. Our caucus is 217 Members strong. We serve in a separate and co-equal branch of government. We don’t work for you. We work for the American people. We are fighting to lower the high cost of living and to protect the healthcare of everyday Americans. And Mr. President, the next time you have something to say about me, don’t cop out through a racist and fake AI video. When I’m back in the Oval Office, say it to my face. Say it to my face.

House Democrats are here on duty, fighting on behalf of the American people, ready to fund the government in a way that lifts up their quality of life. House Democrats are on duty. House Republicans are on vacation. Shame on them for being on vacation all across the country and across the world on the eve of a government shutdown. We’re on duty. They’re on vacation. They’re on vacation because they’d rather shut the government down than protect the healthcare of the American people. That’s unfathomable, that’s unacceptable, that’s unconscionable and that’s un-American. Do your job, as opposed to being missing in action.

Now, we’ll hear from everyday Americans whose healthcare has been under assault by Republicans, who have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, triggered a possible $536 billion cut to Medicare because of what happened in their One Big Ugly Bill. Hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics are closing all across America—in rural America, in urban America, in the heartland of America, in small town America, in Black and brown communities all across America—because of what Republicans have done in terms of this healthcare crisis that they’ve created. And in just a few days, notices will go out to tens of millions of Americans because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which will result in tens of millions of Americans experiencing dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles in an environment where the cost of living is already too high. Our position is a simple one. Cancel the cuts. Lower the cost. Save healthcare. That’s what this fight is all about.

We’re here, we’re ready, we’re willing and able to find a bipartisan path forward to fund the government in a way that actually meets the needs of the American people in terms of their health, their safety and their economic well-being. But here’s what we’re not going to do. We’re not going to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people. Not now, not ever. We are here to lower the high cost of living. We’re here to cancel the cuts. We’re here to lower the costs. We’re here to save the healthcare of the American people.

And our promise to you, America, is that we will always stand up for what is in your best interests to make your life better. To ensure that in this country, when you work hard and play by the rules, you can afford to live the good life for yourself, for your family and for your children. And we know that an important part of that is protecting your healthcare. So we’re here to protect your healthcare today. Protect your healthcare tomorrow. Protect your healthcare this week. Protect your healthcare next week. Protect your healthcare this month. Protect your healthcare next month. Protect your healthcare this year. Protect your healthcare next year. We will protect your healthcare at all times, and defend your healthcare until victory is won.
 
Full press event can be watched here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced H.R. 5581, the Uniform Standards Protection Act, which would block states and localities from imposing uniform and gear requirements on federal law enforcement officers, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Just last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom enacted a state law prohibiting both federal and local law enforcement from wearing face coverings. State legislators in New York have proposed similar legislation. 

“Elitist Democrats can whine all they want to about law enforcement, we don’t care, the Thin Blue Line expects the weak to be weak. Liberals who all of a sudden hate masks are the first ones to hide under a table when something goes down, and then they scream for the police. We get that, and we just do our job because we’re TBL. My bill just calmly tells liberal asshats like Gavin Newsom that his authority over federal law enforcement officers is zero,” said Congressman Higgins.

Read the full text here