Government Shutdown

As of midnight, the federal government has entered shutdown status. This is not merely a political stunt — it’s a real crisis for working families, rural communities, and public servants across our district and beyond.

I condemn this shutdown and the political brinkmanship that brought us here. Oklahomans don’t deserve to be pawns in a partisan battle.

What this shutdown means for Oklahoma’s 2nd District

  • Many federal employees and contractors who live and work in our district will face furloughs, pay delays, and financial stress.
  • Essential services—especially those that support public safety, health, infrastructure, and rural programs—are at risk of being halted or disrupted.
  • Local economies, especially in smaller or rural towns, absorb the shock when federal funds and payrolls stop.
  • Vulnerable communities relying on federally funded resources (housing, nutrition assistance, veterans’ services) will feel the impact deeply.

What needs to happen now

  1. Congress must act immediately to reopen government funding No more delaying. We must put aside ideology over people, negotiate responsibly, and restore funding for our federal agencies.
  2. Protect working families and public service employees Any relief package must include retroactive compensation for furloughed workers, protections for contractors, and safeguards for critical public services.
  3. Address root causes, not just patchwork fixes We need a sustainable budget process, regular order in Congress, and meaningful bipartisan compromise. We must move away from perpetual short-term funding measures.
  4. Listen to the people, not the parties As your representative, I would prioritize your needs over party lines. When elected, I will push for policies that ensure rural districts like ours aren’t left behind during national crises.

In closing

I stand with the hard-working families, public servants, veterans, and small businesses of Oklahoma’s 2nd District. This shutdown doesn’t have to define us. Congress must do its job. I am committed to fighting for a government that works — for all of us — and restoring stability and fairness to Washington.