Partisan Shutdown Needs Bipartisan Solution

One of the most important functions of the United States Congress is wielding the “power of the purse.” Article I of the Constitution requires federal spending to be approved and allocated by the legislature. That responsibility is part of the checks and balances our founders designed to maintain stability for the American people.

Traditionally, the Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate draft and approve 12 spending bills which serve as the basis for funding much of the federal government, after identical versions pass each chamber and are signed into law. Throughout much of our history, this has been a bipartisan exercise since supermajorities in either the House or Senate are rare.

Unfortunately, in recent years this important obligation has come to be viewed as a bargaining chip, particularly when the annual appropriations bills do not advance and temporary stopgap measures called continuing resolutions (CRs) are needed to maintain funding at previously agreed upon levels. Failing to approve funding bills, whether CRs or full-year spending legislation, hurts Arkansans and all Americans who rely on government services and assistance.

Sadly, we find ourselves in that situation once again.

At midnight on October 1, the federal government shut down due to a lapse in appropriated funds for Fiscal Year 2026. I am disappointed with the partisan political tactics that have led us to this impasse, as Senate Democrats continue to block a bipartisan resolution to keep federal departments and agencies open while providing extra time to complete the appropriations process.

This result is particularly frustrating given that most of them voted 13 times for clean CRs – just like this one – during the Biden administration. Instead of helping approve a simple, straightforward funding stopgap, they have demanded $1.5 trillion in additional spending in the eleventh hour. Their focus on expensive, unrelated policies is unreasonable and unserious.

As an appropriator, I am disappointed Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led his caucus down this harmful path. 

I have long argued against shutdowns during my time in Congress and have heard from hundreds of Arkansans concerned about the impacts they have on our veterans, seniors and hardworking Natural State families and businesses. This shutdown is keeping farmers from utilizing critical tools and services at a time when rural communities are already struggling, could disrupt nutrition programs that aid the vulnerable and even limit the accessibility of our state’s beautiful national park sites. It also forces servicemembers and other patriotic Americans to work without the guarantee that they will be paid on time.

Holding Arkansans hostage for political leverage is not an effective way to govern and erodes trust, as the longer a shutdown goes on, the more harm it causes for Americans who do not deserve to suffer the avoidable hardships brought on by chaotic disruption in D.C.

We know America functions best when we can find common ground to address our country’s problems and needs. I remain committed to passing a clean continuing resolution to restore predictability and certainty for our federal agencies so they can best serve the public. My offices remain open, and my staff is ready to help as we urge the Senate minority to put Arkansans – and all Americans – ahead of their agenda.