As our government shutdown stretches into its third week, millions of Americans are beginning to feel the sting. Among those hardest hit are the brave men and women in uniform—our soldiers—who now face the very real prospect of missing their paychecks. These are the same patriots who stand guard for our nation, who sacrifice time with their families, and who risk their lives to protect our freedom. And yet, while they prepare to go without pay, some in Washington are more focused on raising campaign money than solving the crisis.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his fellow Democrats are using this crisis as an opportunity to fill their campaign coffers. Instead of working with Republicans and President Trump to reopen the government, they are sending out fundraising emails, blaming others, and digging in their heels. This is not leadership. This is political theater at its worst.
Jeffries, in one of his fundraising messages, declared that Democrats would not back down until they get what they want. He framed the shutdown not as a tragedy for American families and service members, but as a chance to score political points. “Keep the faith,” he signed off, as if faith means refusing to compromise while our military families suffer. Meanwhile, the Senate remains deadlocked, with Democrats refusing to even consider Republican proposals that would end the shutdown and restore order.
Representative Janelle Bynum of Oregon followed suit, sending out a flurry of emails asking for donations. Her team wrote that “the stakes couldn’t be higher,” not in reference to missed paychecks, but to her political career. She complained about attack ads and begged for money to fight back. This kind of campaigning during a national crisis shows where the modern Democratic Party’s priorities lie—not with the people, but with power.
California Democrat Dave Min joined the chorus, saying that the only way to stop future shutdowns was to “take back control of Congress.” He is openly using the shutdown as a campaign tool, blaming Republicans and asking for more money to win elections. He says Democrats’ demands aren’t controversial—reversing Medicaid cuts and expanding Obamacare tax credits—but he ignores the simple fact that those very demands are what’s keeping the government closed.
Ohio’s Marcy Kaptur also sent out an appeal, asking supporters to “chip in” and help her fight what she calls a “reckless shutdown.” Yet it is her own party that refuses to budge. Republicans have offered a continuing resolution to keep the government running while negotiations continue, but Democrats have rejected it.
Let us be clear: this shutdown is not about healthcare or spending bills. It is about power. The Democrats want to hold the government hostage until they get their way. They are willing to let federal workers and military families go without pay just to score political victories. That is not how a responsible party governs.
While Democrats play political games, President Trump and his Republican allies are working to reopen the government and restore stability. They understand that real leadership means doing what is necessary for the good of the country, not just what is good for the next election.
At a time when our nation needs unity and resolve, the left has chosen division and delay. They would rather send emails asking for ten-dollar donations than come to the table with real solutions. This is not the America our forefathers built. This is not the America our soldiers defend.
We must demand better. We must call on our leaders—especially those in the Democrat Party—to put aside partisan games and do their duty. Our troops deserve better. Our families deserve better. And our country deserves leaders who serve the people, not their own ambitions.
It is time to end the shutdown. It is time to put America first.
