This morning, I joined Speaker Mike Johnson’s daily press conference on the growing impact of this Democrat-led federal shutdown, and I discussed how it’s putting our national security and American interests on the global stage at risk.

Let’s be clear: House Republicans passed a bipartisan, clean continuing resolution to keep the government open and pay our troops over a month ago—on September 19th. It needs 60 votes to pass in the Senate and reopen the government.  

Senate Democrats could end this today. Instead, they continue to play politics while federal workers go unpaid, embassy staff are struggling to fulfill their missions overseas, and our military readiness hangs in the balance. 

It’s becoming increasingly clear to me that this shutdown is about a difference in values. All it would take is five Democrat senators to do the right thing, they just need to decide who they work for—Chuck Schumer or the American people.