U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) released a sharp statement after voting to keep the federal government open, criticizing Senate Democrats for blocking a House-passed package of remaining appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026, leading to a partial government shutdown.
"It's Groundhod Day in the U.S. Senate as Democrats choose, once again, to allow federal government funding to lapse in support of their own political agenda," said Sen. Cornyn.
He accused Democrats of exploiting tragedy for political leverage, adding, "It is always a tragedy when human life is ended, but it is inexcusable when Democrats are using such tragedy as a scapegoat to try and force changes to government funding that they know cannot be made before midnight tonight."
Cornyn emphasized that Democrats are "willfully punishing 330 million Americans for a political stunt," while praising President Donald Trump for negotiating legislation aimed at preventing a longer and more damaging shutdown.
He urged House Republicans to quickly pass the bill to reopen the government once lawmakers return to Washington.
The current shutdown differs significantly from the record-long closure last fall, largely because it is expected to be short-lived. Congress has passed half of the FY2026 funding bills, which keep many federal agencies and programs operating through September.
However, funding has lapsed for the Pentagon and several departments, including Homeland Security and Transportation. While essential operations will continue, some federal workers could be furloughed or temporarily go without pay if the impasse persists.
The breakdown in negotiations followed the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.
In response, Senate Democrats demanded that the Department of Homeland Security funding bill be removed from the House package unless it included changes to immigration enforcement, such as a code of conduct and identification requirements for agents.
To avoid a prolonged shutdown, the White House negotiated a short-term deal to fund DHS at current levels for two weeks. The Senate approved the five-bill package Friday, but the House has been able to reconvene until today, making a temporary lapse in funding unavoidable.
