Ernst: Serving Iowans During the Schumer Shutdown

The same Washington politicians who were whining about DOGE laying off unnecessary bureaucrats just a few months ago are now exposing who is and isn’t an essential employee by shutting down the government.

The Schumer Shutdown has sent home 750,000 federal employees deemed non-essential, but the kicker is that despite being on their couch, in a bubble bath, or wherever else, they will still collect a paycheck paid for by your tax dollars.

In fact, every day the shutdown goes on, taxpayers will be on the hook for $400 million in salary for these bureaucrats who are not working. With Democrats continuing to block the bill to reopen the government, there has already been $1.2 billion in costs racked up.

This is an absolute waste of your hard-earned tax dollars.

Of course, our brave men and women in uniform are continuing to answer the call to duty without pay, as are other essential employees.

But you know who still gets paid?

The politicians who failed to do their jobs and caused the shutdown, namely Senator Schumer and the Democrats in Congress.

Keep in mind, the bill they are blocking would keep the government funded at Biden’s budget levels while we continue working out our differences.

Senator Schumer himself stated earlier this year, “No reasonable member on either side – Democrat or Republican – wants a government shutdown. Both sides recognize that a government shutdown would mean crushing delays to veterans’ programs, nutrition programs for women, infants, and children, delayed benefits for our military, and so much more.”

Senator Schumer went on to say that only extremists who can’t win an argument are willing to shut down the government to bully everyone else into submission.

And folks, that’s exactly what is happening now.

But, ironically, it is Senator Schumer who is being bullied by the extremists within his own party.

These are the radical socialists demanding we defund the police and ICE to allow our streets and borders to once again be overrun by chaos and lawlessness.

Folks, no one wins when Democrats shut down the government.

It is obvious the Democratic leader is shutting down the government for one simple reason—to protect his own job.

From the far left to the right, there is widespread disappointment with Senator Schumer’s inability to perform his basic duties, like doing his part to make sure our military gets paid on time and the government stays open.

So, on behalf of all Americans, the recipient of the non-essential government employee of the year for 2025 is Senator Chuck Schumer for his rudderless leadership, his petty partisanship, and his silly shutdown shenanigans.

While do-nothing bureaucrats are doing anything but working during the Schumer Shutdown, I am still serving Iowans.

My offices will remain open and, if you need help with a federal agency, my team is available to help.

My work for Iowans continues all gas no brakes, and this week I led the Consistent Egg Labels Act to ensure that deceptive imitation products aren’t mislabeled as real, healthy eggs produced by Iowa farmers. In the age-old debate between the chicken or the egg, one thing is certain: eggs don't come from plants.

I will continue working to get my Democrat colleagues to end this political charade and stop wasting tax dollars, ensure that our servicemembers are paid, and guarantee the American people can access vital services from the federal government.

Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate.

Click here for an official portrait of Senator Ernst.

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