U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) emphasized the severe consequences of the ongoing government shutdown, placing focus on its disastrous effects in Texas.
Cornyn urged Senate Democrats to reconsider their stance and support a clean continuing resolution to restore government operations.
"Since Texas is obviously one of the largest states in the country," said Cornyn, "it will suffer an outsized impact."
Texas is home to an estimated 130,000 federal civilian employees. Cornyn called it "extraordinarily unfair" that these workers are being denied pay due to the shutdown.
He also expressed concern for the state's military community.
"Texas has 15 active-duty military installations," Cornyn noted. "Personnel are required to continue reporting for duty throughout the shutdown. These active duty personnel will not be paid again until a final funding deal is reached."
Cornyn criticized Democrats for voting against a clean government funding bill that they had supported in the past.
"I don't know how Senate Democrats can continue voting against a clean government funding bill," he commented, "knowing that the men and women who keep them and us safe are working for free without a paycheck."
He concluded by calling the standoff "a threat to our democracy" and urged his colleagues to "put an end to this nonsense and pass this legislation."
