U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as the federal government shutdown entered its fourth week. Hyde-Smith, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on Senate Democrats to support a continuing resolution (CR) that would reopen the government and allow work to continue on fiscal year 2026 funding bills. She rejected the Democratic alternative CR, describing it as expensive and lacking seriousness.
In a statement, Hyde-Smith said, “We are now, unfortunately, headed into the fourth week of the Schumer shutdown. Essential government services are being disrupted. Federal workers aren’t getting paid. The very people Democrats claim to care about are the ones being hurt the most. Why? Because Democrats keep turning simple decisions into political stunts.
“Republicans have asked for one thing: a straightforward continuing resolution to keep the government open while appropriators do their jobs. That’s it.
“What are the Democrats demanding instead? Free healthcare for illegal immigrants; $1.4 trillion in new spending; your hard-earned tax dollars for overseas woke projects; more COVID-era handouts; and a $50 billion cut to rural hospitals.
“This isn’t a serious proposal. And it shows that they didn’t hear, or don’t care about, the message the American people sent last November.
“But not all Democrats are going along with it. A few have had the courage to cross the aisle and vote with Senate Republicans to reopen the government. They know Schumer’s games are reckless and dangerous.
“And let’s be clear: Should we be taking healthcare advice from the party that broke our system and sent costs soaring? This is the same crowd that says boys should compete in girls’ sports, that the border was secure under Biden, and that he was in perfect health.
“The Senate is here. Republicans are ready to work. The question is – when will Chuck Schumer be?”
The shutdown has lasted 22 days, affecting government services and leaving federal workers without pay. Hyde-Smith emphasized that Republicans are seeking only a temporary measure to fund the government while longer-term appropriations are negotiated.
