Staff Reports
The recent decisions on Capitol Hill have brought some much-needed relief to American service members and their families. After a nerve-wracking period of uncertainty, the Senate managed to approve a continuing resolution to reopen the government, and now all eyes are on the House for final approval. The stakes are high, especially for the roughly 1900 National Guardsmen from Iowa who are deployed abroad and have been anxiously awaiting confirmation that their paychecks were not just a figment of their imagination.
This situation is particularly personal for many, including a senator whose own daughter is serving on active duty, and whose son-in-law is a veteran. Throughout the government shutdown, a chorus of messages flooded in from service members worried about their financial security. This bipartisan effort to restore funding is crucial, not just for military families but for all American families who rely on essential services. When the House gives the green light, troops will finally know they will continue receiving their hard-earned pay, which they can undoubtedly use to buy more than just ramen noodles.
But let’s not sweep the broader issues under the rug. The necessity of an effective government and the dreaded specter of government shutdowns raises the question of how to avoid this in the future. It is a shame that anyone would think of the American people—be it troops or civilians—as political pawns. This notion should have never entered into the discussion about funding and appropriations. Senatorial collaborations are in high demand to put some permanent measures in place. The effort put forth by senators like Ron Johnson and Rick Scott to ensure that these setbacks do not recur is admirable, and the Republican mindset emphasizes the well-being of Americans, as opposed to political gain.
Speaking of political drama, it appears that some members of the Democrat party are currently grappling with their own internal struggles. Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, has found himself in hot water. Following the Senate’s decision to reopen the government, some fellow Democrats are publicly calling for his removal. With all the chaos surrounding this shutdown—now the longest in history—things are certainly heating up for Schumer. It seems that the longer this standoff lasts, the more frayed party lines become. Some Democrats have gone so far as to pin the blame directly on Schumer’s inaction during pivotal moments of negotiation.
The current political landscape is serving up a plate full of irony, as the Democrats’ call for leadership change echoes louder with every passing week of shutdown. While Republicans have stepped up to present solutions, it was Schumer’s reluctance that got us into this predicament in the first place. Without doubt, the situation could have been averted much earlier, as a number of alternative plans were on the table weeks ago but were rebuffed. Now, as government employees and service members await their paychecks, they are left to ponder not just who will lead them through these turbulent waters but also how to keep the ship from capsizing again in the future.
As votes and decisions loom over Capitol Hill, this becoming something of a “government funding soap opera” has entertained and frustrated Americans alike. Will Congress rise above the petty squabbles and ensure that vital services and military salaries remain uninterrupted? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Americans are tired of using their wellbeing as a bargaining chip, and they are ready for a government that prioritizes their needs over party politics. The hope is that by the time the house approves this measure, senators of all stripes will feel the urge to put down the political theater scripts and get back to work for the people.
