Shutdown Day 10: Democrats Refuse to Reopen Government Without $1.5 Trillion Partisan Wishlist

Today marks Day 10 of the government shutdown.

It also marks the seventh time Senate Democrats have voted against re-opening the government, paying our troops, and restoring critical services.

By refusing to pass a clean, non-partisan, short-term CR, they are jeopardizing military pay, veterans’ care, firefighter salaries, disaster relief, and countless programs American families depend on every day.

This is the same short-term measure Democrats supported 13 times under the Biden administration. And these are the same Democrats who once warned that shutdowns were “dangerous,” “disastrous,” and “self-inflicted harm” on hardworking families. They could put aside the political games and end this harmful and unnecessary shutdown today.

Why? Because Democrats are demanding Republicans comply with their $1.5 trillion wishlist just to pass a four-week extension.

Their demands include:

• Restoring taxpayer-funded free healthcare for illegal aliens
• Keeping able-bodied, non-working adults on taxpayer-funded health programs
• Permanently extending Biden’s COVID-era Obamacare subsidies
• And repealing $50 billion in rural health care funding, hurting hospitals and clinics in vulnerable communities

I voted to keep the government open because I know the consequences of a shutdown fall on the American people. From our servicemembers and law enforcement officers to air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and wildland firefighters, these are real Americans facing real uncertainty, and they deserve better.

While Chuck Schumer says “every day gets better for us” during the Democrat Shutdown, here’s the truth: most Americans want Democrats to end their disastrous government shutdown, according to a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll.

Here’s What The Democrat Shutdown Means for Utah:

• Utah’s economy takes a direct hit. Each week the shutdown continues, our state loses an estimated $157 million in Gross State Product, roughly $680 million per month. Economists also project that a month-long shutdown could cost about 500 Utah jobs.
• Roughly 40,000 Utahns, about 2.4% of our state’s workforce, are federal employees who will either be furloughed or required to work without pay until funding is restored.
• Essential benefits continue, but some programs face delays.
• Social Security and Medicare payments will continue, though Utah seniors who receive paper checks (about 2,400 people) may see delays.
• Veterans’ health care and benefits remain funded and operational.
• WIC and SNAP face short-term strain. SNAP will continue for about 30 days before facing disruption; WIC relies on limited state reserves that could run out if the shutdown continues. Together, these programs serve more than 220,000 Utahns, including 69,000 children.
• Small businesses and contractors are also impacted.
• The Small Business Administration has paused loan approvals, delaying an estimated $60 million in support to Utah small businesses each month of the shutdown.
• Federal contract spending is expected to fall by another $178 million, slowing job-creating projects across the state.
• The loss of federal paychecks and contracts means consumer spending in Utah will drop by an estimated $383 million each month the shutdown lasts, hurting local economies and small businesses.

More information is available here.

What’s Open, Paused, or Delayed:

• Social Security: Payments will continue without interruption. Field offices remain open and most applications will still be processed, though some requests may take longer than usual.
• IRS & Federal Employees: Roughly 40,000 federal employees in Utah may be furloughed or required to work without pay during the shutdown, but will receive backpay once the government reopens.
• Medicare and Medicaid: Both programs are funded through mandatory spending and will continue uninterrupted. Our office can help connect you with the appropriate agency staff if you run into difficulty.
• Veterans: VA Medical Centers, outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers will remain open. Benefits such as compensation, pensions, and burials will continue. Some programs, including the GI Bill Hotline, career counseling, and certain regional offices, will pause operations until funding resumes. More information for Utah’s veterans is available here. 
• National Parks: Utah’s National Parks and federal lands will remain open with limited services. Utah State Parks are unaffected and remain open.
• WIC and SNAP Benefits: Funding will continue temporarily for WIC and SNAP. If the shutdown continues beyond several weeks, additional federal guidance will be needed.
• Small Business Administration loans, USDA services, and certain federal grants: Processing may pause or slow down. Our office can provide updates and help you explore temporary state or local resources.
• Mail & Air Travel: Postal Service operations are unaffected. TSA officers and air traffic controllers continue working, but travelers should expect longer wait times at airports.
• Consular Services & Passports: Passport and visa services continue as normal, but delays are possible. U.S. consular services abroad remain open.
• Unemployment Benefits: Unemployment insurance will continue because it is administered through state programs.

My Team Will Continue Working for You:

If you or your family are affected by the shutdown, need help with a government agency, or have specific questions about how the shutdown affects your family, business, or community, please reach out to my team at 801-999-9801 or visit Owens.House.Gov/Shutdown for resources.

While some agencies are operating with limited staff, my offices are open, and our caseworkers are standing by to assist you with Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, passports, and other federal issues.

• Flag requests and Capitol tours are temporarily suspended.
• The Smithsonian Institution has announced that its museums will remain open through Saturday, October 11, using prior-year funding.
• If your travel plans to Washington are affected, please contact our office and we will help you reschedule.

If you need help navigating a federal agency, call 801-999-9801 or submit a casework request here. If you’d like to attend one of my team’s upcoming Mobile Offices, the full schedule is available here.