Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) issued the following statement after the House voted to advance a funding measure to reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in American history:
“Senate Democrats kept the government closed for six weeks while families, service members and federal workers paid the price. They made Americans suffer as part of their strategy for political leverage, yet in the end they achieved nothing. The Democrats’ manufactured crisis spiraled to become the longest shutdown in our nation’s history, an indelible mark of failed leadership by those who chose politics over governing.
“Democrats claimed this standoff was about extending Obamacare subsidies, but those provisions were never part of the negotiations or the underlying funding bills. It was a red herring designed to distract from their internal divisions and appease the far-left faction of their party. House Republicans did our job from the start, and again today by advancing clean, responsible funding to reopen the government and keep essential programs operating. We remain focused on fiscal discipline and on serving the American people.
“This shutdown did real damage across the country. More than 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP and WIC were left to wonder how they would put food on the table as this stalemate dragged on. Federal workers went weeks without paychecks, stretching household budgets to the breaking point. Small businesses lost access to loans they depend on for payroll and equipment, forcing owners to scale back operations and delay growth. This reckless brinkmanship is estimated to have caused about 90 billion dollars in economic damage.
“In Florida, the consequences were especially severe. Flood insurance renewals were stalled, farm labor approvals were disrupted during peak harvest season and families who rely on federal programs faced growing uncertainty. These political games had real costs for the families, farmers and workers who keep our state strong. President Trump worked with House Republicans to bring this stalemate to an end and stand with the American people. I appreciate government operations are resuming and will keep working to ensure continued stability and accountable leadership moving forward.”
