Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 10/11/25… Yesterday, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) led members of New York’s Republican congressional delegation in sending a letter to Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, condemning their continued refusal to support a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) and demanding they vote to reopen the federal government immediately.

The letter was signed by Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Elise Stefanik (NY-21).

The House lawmakers highlighted the senators’ own past statements opposing shutdowns in their letter:

“Minority Leader Schumer, in 2013, you called shutdowns ‘politics of idocracy.’ In 2019, you said ‘shutting down government over a policy difference is self-defeating.’ And just last year in 2024, you said that no reasonable member on either side of the aisle wants a government shutdown. I agree, Senator — your position now is unreasonable.

Senator Gillibrand, in 2013, you said a ‘government shutdown would harm the economy, hurt our military families & cost taxpayers $$ millions in waste.’ In 2019, in response to concerns with air travel delays, you called the shutdown a ‘political game’ and contended that it puts people’s lives at risk. Also in 2019, you stated that a shutdown means ‘American children will be going to bed hungry.’ Where is your concern for the American people’s safety and livelihood now?”

The House passed a clean continuing resolution on September 19th to keep the government funded to continue FY2026 budget negotiations. Both of New York’s senators voted against the bill, prolonging the shutdown and halting key federal operations across the state.

“Shutting down the government only hurts New Yorkers. It helps no one, and it proves no point. I urge you both to reconsider the radical and harmful actions you have taken over the last two weeks, and vote immediately to reopen the government,” wrote the lawmakers. 

The full letter can be found HERE.

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Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.