Leatherstocking Region Representatives Respond to Government Shutdown

By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZELWASHINGTON, D.C.

At 12:01 a.m. on October 1, the federal government shut down for the first time since 2018. The shutdown came after several failed votes where Democrats and Republicans rejected the other’s funding proposals. That included a Republican-supported continuing resolution (H.R. 5371) that would keep funds at current levels temporarily while negotiations proceed, as happened in March. Democratic leaders say their party will only vote for a funding bill that maintains and expands healthcare subsidies (S. 2882). Some Democrats also cite the Trump administration’s refusal to spend already appropriated funds as a reason why they feel Republicans are negotiating in bad faith.

In posts on X over the last few days, Russ Vought, the director of the United States Office of Management and Budget, announced the Trump administration was withholding tens of billions of dollars in funds for infrastructure projects, citing “unconstitutional DEI principles.” All the states where Vought announced cancellations had two Democratic senators and majorities voting for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Among them were New York, where Vought said the administration was withholding “roughly $18 billion” allotted for the New York City Second Avenue subway extension and Gateway Tunnel.