Indiana lawmakers comment on government shutdown, impact on Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. federal government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday.

As the potential of the shutdown was looming earlier this week, Indiana Republicans and Democrats, like the national conversation, were blaming each other’s party for the overall cause of the shutdown.

On Tuesday, Senate Democrats voted to defeat a bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives that would have funded the government through Nov. 21.

According to reports from The Hill, U.S. congressional leaders were unable to reach a deal on a stopgap spending bill. Republicans blamed the Democrats, claiming that the Democrats were embracing far-left policies by not supporting a “clean, nonpartisan funding bill,” according to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota.

This comes as Democrats are encouraging Republicans to “sit down and negotiate with Democrats to come to a bill that both parties can support,” according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York.

As the government is shut down, reports from The Hill state that it is expected to result in widespread furloughs and potential firings of government workers in numerous agencies and departments.

Here’s what Indiana federal lawmakers had to say ahead of Wednesday’s official shutdown:

U.S. Senate

U.S. Senator Todd Young, R-INd.

In a post on social media, Young said that “the majority of Americans don’t want a government shutdown. I urge Senate Democrats to vote for a clean funding bill and keep the federal government open.”

Young cited a New York Times/Siena poll that stated that the government should not shut down when asked what their views are on “whether the Democrats should or should not shut down the government if their demands aren’t met.” The cited poll stated that 65% of respondents said Democrats should not shut down the government.

U.S. Senator Jim Banks, R-Ind.

Calling it a “Schumer Shutdown” on his campaign social media, Banks said that the government shutdown “puts our veterans, seniors and public safety at risk.”

“Critical funding hangs in the balance while the other side of the aisle plays political games,” Banks said. “Hoosier communities deserve better than being held hostage by Senate Democrats.”

U.S House of Representatives

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind., District 1

In a video posted to social media on Tuesday afternoon, Mrvan said he was “ready to find common ground and protect access to healthcare.” Mrvan said that the continuing resolution does not address increasing healthcare costs.

“What I’m fighting for and what my why is is to make sure residents of Northwest Indiana have access to healthcare,” Mrvan said.

Mrvan said in the video that the Republican majority is only negotiating with itself. Mrvan encouraged Republicans to find middle ground by bringing the Democrats to the table.

U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym, R-Ind. District 2

In a post on Monday, Yakym stated that the House Republicans passed a clean continuing resolutions, one that he claims Democrats supported in March, but “now they’d rather risk a government shutdown than give up their political games.”

U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind. District 3

In a statement, Stutzman said that Democrats “have had plenty of opportunities” to keep the government open, urging Democrats to “come to the table.”

“Republicans were elected by our country in the House, Senate, and the Presidency nearly a year ago because they want our national debt reduced, ridiculous handouts to illegals ended and the spending rescissions President Trump promised enacted,” Stutzman’s statement read. “Republicans hold the cards and the majority; it is time for Democrats to come to the table and put our country over their emotions.”

U.S Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind. District 4

In a statement on social media, Baird said he voted to pass a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open.

“Democrats blocked it,” Baird said. “Democrats are shutting down the government to spend YOUR hard-earned tax dollars on benefits for illegal immigrants and radical programs that increase the debt by $1.5 trillion.”

U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind. District 5

On Sept. 19, Spartz voted against the majority of Republicans to fund a continuing resolution to fund the government through mid-November, stating at the time that she could not “support one that ends funding right before a major holiday to jam us with an Omnibus.”

“I’ve seen this playbook too many times,” she said.

U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve, R-Ind. District 6

In a post on Tuesday, Shreve stated that he will not take a paycheck during the government shutdown, stating that he will donate that pay to the Johnson County Boys & Girls Club in Franklin.

“House Republicans have done our job to pass legislation and keep the government open,” Shreve siad. “Hoosiers should not have to pay the price because Democrats insist on playing politics. They have repeatedly voted against a clean, bipartisan funding bill – threatening vital government services and putting hardworking families at risk… Hoosiers expect a government that works for them – and that’s the standard I’m holding myself to.”

U.S. Rep. André Carson, R-Ind. District 7

In a photo posted to his social media on Tuesday from the House floor, Carson emphasized that the Democratic side was filled and the Republican side was empty, stating that “Republicans didn’t even show up to work.”

Carson went on to emphasize on social media that the shutdown is “entirely on Republicans.” In an interview with FOX59/CBS4 on Tuesday, Carson said that this shutdown could take away healthcare for many Americans.

“I think it’s clear that Democrats simply won’t rubber-stamp a spending package that leaves Americans without health care,” Carson said. “Anyone who has had a health scare knows that health insurance isn’t optional. We absolutely need it for our survival. And if people can’t afford to go to a doctor’s visit, they essentially won’t go. And that leads to problems that could worsen if gone untreated.”

U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer, R-Ind. District 8

In a statement from Messmer, he also blamed the Democrats, stating that they would “rather jeopardize servicemember pay and crucial funding for rural hospitals with taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants.”

“The Schumer Shutdown abandons the needs of hardworking Americans. Democrats must end this reckless government shutdown,” the statement read.

U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind. District 9

On Houchin’s campaign social media account, she said that Republicans have done their job to fund the government.

“Democrats would rather hand out free health care to illegal immigrants than take care of America’s veterans,” she said.

This is the fourth government shutdown in the 21st century and the first since the 35-day shutdown in 2019 surrounding border wall funding. The 2019 shutdown was the longest in U.S. history.

This story will be updated as more information is released.