Hinson Statement on Schumer Shutdown
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson issued the following statement regarding the Schumer Shutdown. Hinson is withholding her pay during the government shutdown.
“This is the Schumer shutdown. I voted to keep the government open and ensure our troops, border patrol agents, and other first responders are paid – while Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are forcing this shutdown and abdicating their most basic job to score points with their far-Left base. Iowans deserve better than this chaos and dysfunction, and I urge my Democratic colleagues to work with us and stop demanding a hyper-partisan wish list, including giving illegal aliens taxpayer-funded benefits, to keep the government open.” – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson
Hinson has backed several pieces of legislation to ensure that America’s servicemembers, first responders, and border patrol agents continue to receive pay should Democrats shut down the government.
- H.R. 5260, Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act: This bill would ensure continued salary payments for US Border Patrol agents and Office of Field Operations officers in Customs and Border Protection.
- H.R. 5401, Pay Our Troops Act: This bill would ensure continued salary payments for all servicemembers and reserve components serving in active duty, the US Coast Guard in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other civilian staff supporting the Department of War.
- H.R. 5398, Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act: This bill would ensure continued salary payments for DHS personnel, including Secret Service Police, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents, ICE agents, CBP officers, DHS aircraft officers, and Coast Guard members.
The full text of Rep. Hinson’s letter requesting to withhold her pay in the event of a shutdown on October 1, 2025, can be found here and below.
Dear Ms. Szpindor,
As Congress approaches the September 30, 2025, deadline to reach an agreement on government funding, it is my understanding that Members of Congress will continue to receive their pay during a lapse in appropriations. Therefore, I am requesting that my pay be withheld in the event of such a lapse in appropriations on October 1, 2025, at 12:00 AM Eastern Time.
On September 19, 2025, the House passed a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution to extend government funding through mid-November, allowing the House and Senate to fund the government through the regular appropriations process. This is the Schumer Shutdown.
The House Appropriations Committee has once again passed 12 single-subject appropriations bills. Senate Democrats have rejected the opportunity to support a clean government funding extension – at the same levels they supported in March – and have instead decided to hold government funding hostage. Their demands include: $1.5 trillion in new spending, free Medicaid for 1.2 million illegals, $500 million for NPR and PBS, and restoring funding for wasteful programs abroad. Because Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is trying to appease his far-Left base, pay for our troops, border patrol agents, and first responders is at risk.
It is disheartening that Democrats are opposing a clean continuing resolution in favor of their own radical bill that includes a hyper-partisan wish list in exchange for doing their most basic job. Democrats have made clear that they’re more focused on scoring political points than serving hardworking Americans. In fact, they’re going to embark on a “24-hour livestream” instead of working on solutions for the American people.
My request to withhold my pay shall take effect beginning on October 1, 2025, at 12:00 AM Eastern Time, and remain in effect until legislation to end such a lapse in appropriations is enacted.
I appreciate your attention to this request. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office at (202) 225-2911.
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