Yesterday, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) led several Republican members of New York’s congressional delegation in sending a letter to Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. The letter criticized the senators for not supporting a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) and called on them to vote to reopen the federal government.
The letter was signed by Representatives Nick LaLota (NY-01), Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Elise Stefanik (NY-21).
In their letter, the House members cited past statements from both senators opposing government shutdowns. The letter included the following: “Minority Leader Schumer, in 2013, you called shutdowns ‘politics of idocracy.’ In 2019, you said ‘shutting down government over a policy difference is self-defeating.’ And just last year in 2024, you said that no reasonable member on either side of the aisle wants a government shutdown. I agree, Senator — your position now is unreasonable.
Senator Gillibrand, in 2013, you said a ‘government shutdown would harm the economy, hurt our military families & cost taxpayers $$ millions in waste.’ In 2019, in response to concerns with air travel delays, you called the shutdown a ‘political game’ and contended that it puts people’s lives at risk. Also in 2019, you stated that a shutdown means ‘American children will be going to bed hungry.’ Where is your concern for the American people’s safety and livelihood now?”
The House passed a clean continuing resolution on September 19 to maintain government funding and allow budget negotiations for fiscal year 2026 to continue. Both New York senators voted against this measure, which resulted in the continuation of the shutdown and the suspension of some federal operations in the state.
The lawmakers wrote, “Shutting down the government only hurts New Yorkers. It helps no one, and it proves no point. I urge you both to reconsider the radical and harmful actions you have taken over the last two weeks, and vote immediately to reopen the government.”
Congressman Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, located north of New York City, covering all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated as the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress and ranked eighth overall.
