Missouri, Illinois lawmakers react to government shutdown

WASHINGTON — Missouri and Illinois lawmakers are split sharply along party lines after the federal government shut down Wednesday, with Republicans accusing Democrats of blocking a plan to keep the government open and Democrats blaming Republican leaders for refusing to address what they call a self-inflicted health care crisis.

In a statement, Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt blasted Senate Democrats for rejecting a continuing resolution to fund the government. “Democrats just rejected a funding bill to keep the government open and instead chose to yield to their base of radical leftists and shut the government down,” Schmitt said. “Republicans will continue to fight for a responsible, commonsense path forward, while Democrats continue to grandstand.”

Sen. Josh Hawley struck a similar note in an appearance on Steve Bannon's show The War Room, saying Democrats were forcing a shutdown “over a hissy fit about Trump.” He warned the lapse would harm veterans, farmers, and health care providers, adding, “All because they hate the guy who won the election.”

House Republicans from Missouri also blamed Democrats. Rep. Ann Wagner called the shutdown “a shocking dereliction of duty” and accused Democrats of blocking a “clean government funding bill” to push “radically liberal pet projects” such as “free healthcare for illegal immigrants.” 

Rep. Jason T. Smith, R-Missouri 8th District, said Democrats were demanding “over $1 trillion in new spending” while cutting rural health care investments.

Rep. Mark Alford, R-Missouri 4th Congressional District, said he doesn't like funding the government through bills but backed the continuing resolution to avoid a shutdown. Prior to the shutdown, he said, “A government shutdown would be disastrous—harming our military, preventing veterans from getting the benefits they’ve earned, and derailing President Trump’s progress on our America First agenda,” he said.

Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri 6th Congressional District, warned the lapse could delay critical infrastructure projects and force essential federal employees to work without pay. 

"Our air traffic controllers, Coast Guard members, and many others are among the government employees now being asked to work without pay," he said in a news release.

Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Missouri 7th Congressional District, argued that a clean CR would actually reduce spending but said Democrats were pushing to undo cuts.

“Washington’s reckless overspending is irresponsible and pushing us closer to a devastating debt spiral,” Burlison said.

Democrats, however, said Republicans created the crisis by refusing to negotiate on health care. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said the shutdown was the result of GOP leaders prioritizing tax cuts over coverage. “If Republicans allow [ACA premium] tax credits to expire, tens of millions of Americans will see their premiums go up and four million more will lose coverage altogether,” Durbin said.

Durbin's senate colleague from Illinois, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, took umbrage with Wagner's claim that undocumented workers would receive free health care. On Wednesday afternoon, Duckworth used the president's own words against him.

"Even Donald Trump once said, 'a shutdown falls on the President’s lack of leadership,'" Duckworth wrote on X. "Well, choosing to shut down rather than save health care is one of the biggest failures in leadership imaginable."

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri 5th District, blamed “Republicans’ inability to govern” despite controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress. “They are willing to force another harmful shutdown instead of coming to the negotiating table to work with Democrats to craft a bipartisan budget,” Cleaver said.

Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, D-13th District, said constituents are already being warned about premium hikes. “We’re asking for something very simple. They need to at least be looking at extending the ACA tax credits or addressing the manufactured healthcare crisis,” she said.

Democratic Congressman Wesley Bell, Missouri's First District, argued that the blame lies squarely with Republicans. “Republicans control both Congress and the White House. If the government shuts down, it’s on their watch,” Bell said, adding that Democrats “will not be idle and let health care premiums soar for hardworking Americans.”

Illinois Rep. Mike Bost, R-12th Congressional District, countered that Democrats had pushed for a “$1.5 trillion spending spree that funds healthcare for illegal immigrants” instead of backing a Republican plan. “This shutdown creates uncertainty for the American people at a time we can least afford it,” Bost said.

This shutdown is the first since 2019, and is expected to furlough federal workers and disrupt key services until a deal is reached.

For added context, Republicans hold advantages in both the House (219 to 213, with three vacancies) and the Senate (53 to 45, with two Independents).