The Detroit News: Democrats must stop the political games, end shutdown

Michigan’s Democratic Senators have put the left wing of their party above everyday Michiganians. And we’ve had enough of it.

First, here’s where we are. On Sept. 19, each of us cosigned here passed a clean, straightforward bill to keep the government open for seven weeks while Congress finishes its full-year funding work. There were no partisan add-ons. No unrelated policy wish lists. Just a simple, responsible plan to keep the lights on, government services running and our troops paid.

The Senate then took up the legislation, failing it 54 to 45 (there is a 60-vote majority required to advance the bill in the Senate). Republicans in the Senate voted to keep the government open. All but three Democrats voted to close the government. Michigan Sens. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, and Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, both voted to close the government’s doors. The Senate voted multiple times. Each time, these senators voted no, and the government remains closed for business.

Why would they make this decision? Both Peters and Slotkin are demanding unrelated, far-left policies that have nothing to do with government funding. In fact, they’re asking taxpayers to fund healthcare for illegal immigrants, radical news outlets and climate schemes overseas. What’s more, their proposal would gut rural health care. It’s political hostage-taking, plain and simple.

And who pays the price? Not the senators or the political class in Washington; but everyday Michiganians.

Roughly 56,000 federal workers in our state are furloughed or working without pay. More than one million Michiganians who rely on SNAP benefits are at risk of not being able to afford groceries. Veterans are waiting for benefits, seniors are waiting for a callback from Social Security, and our state is losing $361 million in economic activity each week while the government remains shut down. Thousands of people are caught in the crossfire of a shutdown that didn’t have to happen.

Thankfully, President Donald Trump used his authority to ensure our military men and women continue to get paid for their service, and mothers on WIC will continue to receive their benefits. He is refusing to let Democrats use them as a pawn in their political games. He is putting people before politics.

Here’s the truth: this exact type of stopgap funding bill has passed Congress more than a dozen times in recent years. So, what’s different now? The politics — and Michiganians are going to suffer as a result. 

Enough is enough.

Michigan families deserve better than Washington gridlock and partisan games. We all represent the same people —Republicans and Democrats alike — who expect their government to function. House Republicans have acted responsibly. We passed a clean bill, with plenty of time to spare before the funding deadline to keep the government open and protect the services Americans rely on. The Senate should do the same.

To Sens. Peters and Slotkin, we say this: stop standing with radical progressives and start standing with Michigan. Do your job. Pass the clean continuing resolution. Reopen the government.

Michigan cannot afford another day of radical Democrats’ shutdown. It’s time to end the political games and get back to serving the American people.

By Reps. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte; Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, Lisa McClain, R-Romeo, John Moolenaar, R-Caledonia, and Tim Walberg, R-Tipton.