Congressman Mark Alford says shutdown is the fault of Democrats

The government shutdown has entered its ninth day, severely affecting federal operations and risking military pay delays starting next week.

Congressman Mark Alford explained that while a clean continuing resolution extending funding until November 21st was passed by the House Appropriations Committee, Senate Democrats blocked it, causing the shutdown

“It is day nine of America held hostage with the Schumer shut down and the fight goes on in Washington,” Alford said. “The fight by the Democrats is against President Trump and not for the American people.

Alford says Republicans passed a clean CR several weeks ago which means an extension so that we could get our the rest of our appropriation bills done.

“I’m on the Appropriations Committee and we passed all 12 appropriation bills out of our committee. We got three passed on the House floor and all we were doing was asking for an extension of seven weeks until November 21st so we could get the rest of these done on the House floor, over to the Senate and signed into law by President Trump so we can get back to regular order. The Democrats did not want to do that.”

Alford says the Democrat party in Washington is rudderless.

“They have no mission, no message, no leader, no voice and no real direction other than to hate Trump and oppose our continuing resolution,” Alford declares.

“So here we are, day nine starting next week on Wednesday, the military will not get paid. I think the pressure is going to be mounting on them to do the right thing and open back up the government to turn the lights back on so that we can get back to work for the American people.”

Despite federal shutdown impacts, Alford’s district offices remain operational to assist constituents with federal issues.

Offices in Lebanon, Raymore, and Columbia continue handling veterans’ benefits, Social Security, and passport applications through caseworkers

Constituents can contact these offices via alford.house.gov for assistance, though federal agency delays limit progress on some cases.

Alford encourages residents to sign up for his biweekly newsletter at alford.house.gov to stay informed on district and federal developments