Dear John, Nearly two weeks ago, House Republicans passed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open and functioning through mid-November to provide time for an agreement on the 12 annual appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.  Unfortunately, Senate Democrats voted against the House-passed CR this past evening.  Their demands?  They want a $1.5 trillion spending increase to protect Biden-era programs, essentially gutting the many great provisions of the Working Families Tax Cut Act signed into law this summer.  As a result of voting down the House-passed CR in the Senate, the government shut down at midnight.  Senator Chuck Schumer is so concerned about a primary from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (or AOC as she is called), he has decided it's in his best interest to do what the far-Left wants and shut down the government.  The thinking is this: Republicans have the White House, a majority in the Senate and a majority in the House.  With the help of the liberal media, they believe Republicans will take the blame because most of the American public does not understand you need 60 votes in the Senate to end debate on a CR or any appropriations bill.  Republicans have 53 seats in the Senate so you’ve got to get a minimum of 7 Democrats to break ranks to end debate on the bill.  Quite simply, Democrats are playing politics.  Instead of using taxpayer dollars to fund critical federal functions, Democrats’ proposed $1.5 trillion spending increase over just four-weeks includes:Reinstatement of FREE health care for illegal aliens$500 million to prop up liberal news outletsA $50 billion cut to investments in improving rural health careBillions of dollars to foreign countries for climate projectsIf you have any questions on how this government shutdown may impact you, click here. My offices will remain open no matter how long the Democrat-led Shutdown lasts.  My staff and I will continue to assist you with any questions you may have. You can contact my office here.