Washington’s shutdown is hurting real people

Oct 24, 2025 by AFP

It’s week four of Washington’s shutdown, and it’s not the politicians feeling the pain. It’s the American people.

The Democrats’ refusal to do what’s right and pass a continuing resolution is keeping the government closed.

The Republican-led House of Representatives passed a clean CR (which will keep government funding at current levels), but Senate Democrats continue to vote against it.

And while media members might spend the whole day talking about the politics, the deal-making, and who’s polling better over the shutdown fight, hardworking Americans are the ones suffering its effects.

That’s why we must end the nonsense and reopen the government now.

Here’s who the shutdown hurts

Here are just some of the people who’re suffering thanks to the shutdown.

Benjamin and his family own a small remodeling business in Michigan. Thanks to the shutdown, housing and development contracts are on hold as long as Congress remains at a standstill. That means less work for their company and more instability for their employees.


Kevin is an air traffic controller from Georgia. Thanks to Washington’s infighting, air traffic controllers like Kevin are put under mounting pressure and are missing paychecks due to the Democrats’ decision to put politics above people.

This is unfair to people like Kevin and is a big safety issue for all passengers.


Zach, a small business owner and author, feels the government shutdown’s effects. When Washington’s system breaks down and descends into dysfunction, it creates economic uncertainty, and entrepreneurs and independent workers like Zach feel the pinch.


These stories are just a few examples of how Washington’s dysfunction hurts honest, hardworking Americans.

And if Washington doesn’t get its act together, things will not improve. The longer this shutdown drags on, the more Americans will be hurt.

Federal workers will keep working without their paychecks, the uncertainty will start hurting the whole economy, and the government services that many Americans count on will stay closed.

Time to stop politicking and start governing

Democratic lawmakers in the Senate are the ones holding it up.

Instead of passing a clean funding bill, they’re playing games. They’re blocking solutions, rejecting compromise, and ignoring the damage they’re causing.

Senate Democrats need to stop the excuses. Stop the delays. And stop hurting the very people they claim to represent.

Reopen the government. Do your job. And start putting Americans first.

That’s why Americans for Prosperity’s grassroots army is holding Congress accountable. We need to end this crisis and start working on America’s real problems.

We’re asking Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution and get back to work.

Tell your lawmaker to pass a clean CR and stop this unnecessary government shutdown.

Because every day this shutdown continues, more families fall behind. More businesses lose ground. More Americans lose faith.

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