Florida Parish News

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) published an opinion piece on FoxNews.com criticizing Congressional Democrats for their handling of the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 18th day. Scalise described upcoming rallies in Washington, D.C., organized by left-leaning groups such as the Communist Party USA, Indivisible, and MoveOn, as “Hate America” events. He argued that these gatherings celebrate what he calls the “Schumer Shutdown,” while many American families are struggling.

Scalise referenced comments from Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), stating: "He hasn’t surrendered yet. I call that progress, and we’re cheering him on now." According to Scalise, while protesters criticize President Donald Trump and label him a dictator, Americans face financial uncertainty due to the shutdown.

He noted that House Republicans passed a short-term continuing resolution over three weeks ago to keep the government open but said Democrats have voted against it ten times. “Every day, Democrats have made it abundantly clear they care more about appeasing their socialist base than doing right by the American people,” Scalise wrote.

Scalise highlighted several consequences of the shutdown: hundreds of thousands of federal employees working without pay or being furloughed; federal law enforcement officers not receiving paychecks; service members facing uncertainty despite having been paid on October 15; veterans losing access to key programs; farmers and ranchers unable to access Department of Agriculture support; entrepreneurs blocked from Small Business Administration loans; homebuyers affected by a lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program; travel delays due to fewer air traffic controllers; IRS help lines being closed; national security acquisitions delayed; and millions potentially losing access to WIC and SNAP benefits.

“All this needless suffering because Chuck Schumer is more afraid of the radical leftists in his own party than he is concerned about making sure American families don't have to wonder about whether they're going to be able to put food on the table. It’s shameful,” Scalise stated.

He concluded: “Make no mistake: every time Democrats vote against the clean CR, they are voting against paying our service members, law enforcement, and federal workers; funding critical programs for our veterans, women, and children, ending nationwide flight delays and serving the American people.”

Scalise has represented Louisiana’s 1st congressional district since 2008 after succeeding Bobby Jindal. He was born in New Orleans in 1965 and currently lives in Jefferson. Before joining Congress, he served in both chambers of Louisiana’s state legislature and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University.