New York Republicans Demand Action Amid Government Shutdown

Republicans in New York’s congressional delegation are pressing Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to end the ongoing government shutdown. They called the senators’ opposition to the GOP’s funding bill “radical and harmful” to Empire State residents.

The shutdown has now entered its eleventh day. Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked, leaving thousands of government workers—including military personnel and federal law enforcement—at risk of missing their first paychecks next week if no deal is reached.

House Republicans Accuse Senators of Abdication

In a letter, seven House Republicans charged that Schumer and Gillibrand “have abdicated your responsibility to New Yorkers.” They criticized the senators for consistently voting against the clean Continuing Resolution (CR), which they argue would reopen government operations.

The Republicans highlighted that both senators had previously supported clean CRs to keep the government funded while Congress worked on bipartisan spending bills. They accused the senators of reversing course now “to spite President Trump and congressional Republicans,” calling it “a disservice to our nation and our institutions.”

The letter, led by Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., was signed by six other New York House Republicans: Nick Langworthy, Nicole Malliotakis, Claudia Tenney, Nick LaLota, Elise Stefanik, and Andrew Garbarino.

Schumer Pushes Back

A spokesperson for Schumer responded, urging, “Get back to work! House Republicans haven’t done their jobs in weeks. They should focus on reopening the government, negotiating a fair agreement, and addressing the health care crisis they created.”

The Continuing Resolution Debate

The House passed a continuing resolution on September 19 to fund the government at roughly FY2025 levels through November 21. The vote followed party lines. However, Democrats in both chambers expressed frustration at being excluded from funding talks.

They now demand that any spending deal include an extension of pandemic-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire by the end of this year. Democrats warn that failing to act would raise health care premiums for millions of Americans.

Republican leaders controlling the House and Senate have agreed to negotiate on the subsidies but insist that the CR remain “clean,” without additional policy riders. CRs are intended to give Congress more time to finalize a longer-term funding plan for FY2026, which began on October 1.