GOP Makes Things Worse For Democrats
Washington, D.C. — Senate Republicans are stepping up pressure on Democrats as the government shutdown drags into its third week, accusing the Left of putting politics before patriotism while military families brace for financial hardship.
Democrats Block GOP Plan to Reopen Government
On Tuesday night, the Senate rejected a House GOP plan to reopen the government in a 49–45 vote, keeping the shutdown in place.
Only Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D–Nev.) and Sen. Angus King (I–Maine) broke ranks with Democrats.
Sen. John Fetterman (D–Pa.), who had previously supported the measure, was absent.
Republicans say this vote proves what they’ve warned for weeks — Democrats are refusing to compromise, even as service members and federal workers struggle to pay bills.
GOP Accuses Schumer of Turning His Back on Military Families
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R–S.D.) ramped up the fight, refusing to give Democrats a platform to promote their competing funding bill. Instead, he allowed only one vote — the Republican bill — forcing Democrats to take a clear stand.
“Democrats won’t be satisfied until military families are lining up at food banks,” Thune said. “They talk about compassion, but their actions speak volumes.”
Thune blasted Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) for focusing on political games instead of the needs of everyday Americans. The vote was scheduled just before the October 15th military payday, a lifeline for more than one million troops and their families.
“Every Day Gets Better for Democrats” — Even as Families Struggle
Schumer recently boasted that “every day gets better for us,” but for the military and law enforcement officers going without pay, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
New York alone has 28,000 active-duty service members and 14,000 military children, many living near Fort Drum, a major economic hub. Yet Democrats continue to block efforts to reopen the government — and pay them.
Trump Steps In to Protect the Troops
In a decisive move, President Trump announced that he has ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use “all available funds” to ensure troops get paid on October 15 — even without new spending legislation.
The bold directive drew outrage from Democrats, who questioned its legality.
Rep. Jim Himes (D–Conn.) told CBS that Trump’s order was “probably not legal,” admitting that Democrats prefer to keep the paychecks hostage until they get their way on Obamacare subsidies and Medicaid spending.
GOP: Democrats Playing Politics With National Security
Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso (R–Wyo.) highlighted a Military Times report showing families lining up at food banks because of the shutdown.
He warned that Democrats’ refusal to act is hurting morale and national defense at a critical time.
Republicans also pointed to Sen. Jon Ossoff (D–Ga.) and Sen. Mark Warner (D–Va.), who both face tough re-elections in states with large military communities.
Their continued votes against GOP funding bills could come back to haunt them in 2026.
“If Democrats Want to Challenge Troop Pay — Bring It”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R–La.) stood firmly with President Trump, daring Democrats to challenge the order in court:
“If the Democrats want to go to court and stop troops from being paid, bring it.”
Republicans argue the choice is clear: stand with America’s military and reopen the government, or side with political elites who’d rather score points than serve the people.
