Re-open the government!
Marty Krueger
Sunday, October 26, 2025
The shutdown of the United States government must end, and it’s up to Republicans to end it.
I am a lifelong Republican. I voted for Senator Ron Johnson. But this shutdown is hurting the people of Sauk County, and it’s hurting the people of my district.
Let me briefly explain.
First, let’s remember that the our President is a Republican, the House of Representatives is Republican, the US Senate is Republican, and the Supreme Court is Republican. So when Republicans blame the Democrats for this shutdown, that’s obvious nonsense.
Here’s the real story: The Republican House and Senate have created a budget that will cut Medicaid (that’s BadgerCare here Wisconsin) and will cut support for Obamacare. Those are things that will hurt my neighbors and constituents. And Republicans have said to Democrats: Vote to accept those healthcare cuts or we’ll shut down the government.
The Democrats refused to support the cuts, so the Republicans shut down the government.
THESE CUTS ARE WRONG
Let me be clear about those cuts to BadgerCare and Obamacare. Those cuts are wrong. They will be very damaging to too many people here in Sauk County and in the district I represent. My constituents are not wealthy. Many of them are elderly, a majority of them are working class. They are disproportionately dependent on these programs.
These cuts should be reversed. I agree with the Democrats on this.
Second, let me point out that the government shutdown itself threatens to do real damage. It’s already causing harm. The federal government has sent home tens of thousands of federal employees, ending the services they provide and taking away their incomes — incomes they would ordinarily contribute to their local economies, including here in Wisconsin.
Other critical federal employees who have not been sent home are working without pay. You can bet that they are overworked and stressed about how to pay their rent. That group of workers includes air traffic controllers, who have millions of lives in their hands. Do we really want them working under those conditions? (Take my advice, don’t fly right now if you don’t have to).
Meanwhile, some of our neighbors are dependent on food assistance through FoodShare (known outside Wisconsin as SNAP), and that program is running out of funds. Also, many non-profits that provide valuable services to our residents could be in danger because existing grants are being held up and new grant applications aren’t being processed.
I'm a lifelong Republican, but when Republicans blame the Democrats for this shutdown, that’s obvious nonsense.
So let me be clear: The cuts to healthcare must be reversed and the government must be re-opened. This is the responsibility of the Republican House, Senate, and President.
SENATOR JOHNSON, RE-OPEN THE GOVERNMENT
I am addressing these remarks specifically to our Republican Senator, Ron Johnson, and I plan to call him to give him that message. I ask you to do the same. You can reach him at (202) 224-5323 in Washington, DC, or at (608) 240-9629 in Madison.
I’d suggest that you give him this message:
“I want you to restore healthcare funding and get the government open again. The government shutdown is not the fault of the Democratic Party. You and the Republican Party control the Senate, the House, and the Presidency. You can’t say that the Democrats are in charge. You are hurting the people of Wisconsin and the people of Sauk County. Re-open the government.”
And once again, I emphasize that I’ve voted Republican all my life. I’m speaking as a Republican, as an American, and as a representative of the people of Sauk County. This nonsense should end.