WASHINGTON, D.C. —As the government shutdown stretches into its 28th day with no end in sight, millions of Americans continue to be held hostage by Washington’s dysfunction. Today, Independent Women sent letters to Senate Minority Leader Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, emphasizing the devastating impact of the prolonged shutdown on single mothers, seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and military families, urging them to end this devastating toll on Americans.

The letters include multiple submitted personal testimonials, in addition to the first name and home state of hundreds of Americans that have submitted comments to Independent Women’s “Gridlock Hurts Real People: Tell Senate Democrats to End the Shutdown” open-box comment drive, showcasing the harm the shutdown has inflicted upon families across the nation:

  • A mother in Alabama shared that her son, a service member, and his family are struggling to pay rent and buy groceries without his regular paycheck. “This is selfish abuse of power to meet political goals,” she wrote. “We’re not stupid.”
  • In Utah, a woman’s brother—a veteran who now works for the VA—has been forced off the job. “His livelihood is currently shut down,” she said. “Congress is grandstanding instead of doing the work of compromising.”
  • A grandmother in Tennessee told us her Navy family is moving cross-country for a new post, but can’t access the relocation funds they were promised. “They’re putting everything on credit cards just to serve this country,” she said. “It’s unfair and frightening.”
  • In Virginia, a military wife with young twins, said, “If they don’t pay my husband, we will literally starve and lose our home while he’s deployed.”
  • A disabled veteran in Minnesota shared that her son, also serving, will soon miss his paycheck. “We’ll support him as we always have,” she wrote, “but this shouldn’t be happening.”

The letters call out Democratic leadership for the collateral damage caused by their inaction, stating in part:

“For countless individuals nationwide, this isn’t mere political posturing; it’s their grim reality. They are undeserving victims caught in the crossfire of Washington’s dysfunction. The government needs to be reopened now, and then you can engage in the political dealmaking and policy debates you were elected to carry out.”

Read the letters to Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries.

Meaghan Mobbs, director of Independent Women’s Center for American Safety and Security, said, “Democrats are using our troops and veterans as political pawns, forcing those who defend this nation to bear the cost of Washington’s dysfunction. Every missed paycheck erodes trust, morale, and the covenant between the nation and those who serve it.” 

“Democratic leaders Schumer and Jeffries have a chance to show true leadership in the face of the pain their gamesmanship has inflicted on regular Americans,” said Patrice Onwuka, director of Independent Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity. “The plea of a scared mother worried about feeding her twins while her husband is deployed should rattle their souls. We’re on a serious precipice. Over 40 million Americans risk losing food benefits next week. Millions of people don’t know when they’ll be paid. This moment calls for our nation’s leaders to listen to the American people and reopen the government.”

Andi Bottner, Vice President of External Relations for Independent Women, said, “By sharing these stories with Leaders Schumer and Jeffries, we need them to understand that the longer they hold this shutdown hostage, the deeper the wound felt by the American people—on their watch.”

“At Independent Women, the power of real people and real stories underpins everything we do. That’s why we immediately sprang into action to collect stories from across the country about how the government shutdown is impacting families who are already suffering,” said Victoria Coley, Vice President of Communications for Independent Women. “Our team has received over 800 submissions from members of Independent Women’s Network and citizens nationwide sharing what’s really happening on the ground. That number is expected to rise significantly this week as more families go without paychecks or lose access to the benefits that help them put food on the table.”

Gridlock Hurts Real People: Tell Senate Democrats to End the Shutdown

Launched by Independent Women on October 9, the “Gridlock Hurts Real People” open-box comment drive amplifies the voices of impacted parents, veterans, workers, and taxpayers, sending a clear message to Congress about the Americans enduring real hardship from political gridlock in Washington. The comment drive, which now has driven comments from 800 American citizens, will be open through the duration of the government shutdown.

More from Independent Women on the government shutdown: 

Click here to view the comment drive.

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