As the Schumer Shutdown enters its second week, Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) is voicing strong concern for military families nationwide, emphasizing that for many of them, a steady paycheck is not a luxury but a lifeline.
As a former Air Force officer who served his country with distinction, Rep. August Pfluger understands the sacrifices made by America’s service members and their families. He has been outspoken in condemning what he describes as Democrats’ intransigence, saying their refusal to act is forcing troops and their loved ones into unnecessary hardship — even leaving some uncertain about how they will afford their next meal.
HORRIBLE — Military families are having to wait in line at this GA food bank because Chuck Schumer refuses to open the government.
Open the government up so we can pay our troops @SenSchumer pic.twitter.com/4XJs7kkx7i
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 10, 2025
Pfluger’s outspoken defense of military families follows what he called a “disgraceful” remark from a senior Democratic aide, who reportedly said the party would not compromise “short of planes falling out of the sky.”
The comment has drawn sharp backlash, reinforcing Republican claims that Democrats are willing to jeopardize national security to gain political leverage.
DISGUSTING — CNN reports a Senior Democratic Aide said that until "planes start falling out of the sky," they won't reopen the government.
This refers to unpaid air traffic controllers not showing up.
They are truly America LAST. pic.twitter.com/Fhc8tJR1zl
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 10, 2025
According to Townhall.com, Pfluger, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) were unequivocal in their response, arguing that the shutdown has nothing to do with helping ordinary Americans. Instead, they said, it’s about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s fear of alienating his party’s radical base.
Pfluger, drawing from his own military roots, laid it out starkly: “During [a shutdown] you can’t focus on the mission or the threat..Our commanders today…and quite frankly all of our personnel…are having to focus on whether or not going to be able to make ends meet.
“Those that are deployed—the stress that they already endure with deployments is now triple, quadruple…because now their spouses are at home, maybe with new babies, wondering if they’re going to be able to put food on the table,” he added.
Pfluger criticized Senate Democrats for voting seven times to block funding for the military and air traffic control operations, calling their actions indefensible. He urged the media to question lawmakers such as Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.)—both of whom are seeking higher office—about why they are, in his words, turning their backs on the men and women who keep this country safe.
“Where’s the political courage?” he demanded.
Speaker Johnson echoed that outrage, painting a picture of Democrats as “modern-day profiles in fear and cowardice.” He explained the “why” behind this mess: It’s not about policy wins for families or security—it’s Schumer’s desperation to appease the “most radical elements of their socialist Marxist base” ahead of the “No Kings” nutjob rally.
Leader Scalise piled on, calling it a “self-inflicted wound” driven by Schumer’s terror of a primary challenge from the left. “He’s more concerned about his political career than he is about the fate of families all across this country,” Scalise said.
He highlighted that one-third of military families live paycheck to paycheck. He criticized Democrats for obstructing votes to pay troops, TSA agents, and Border Patrol, all while reveling in the chaos.
Republicans are showing rare unity, with Speaker Mike Johnson declaring there is “zero daylight” between President Trump, Senate Republicans, and the House GOP. Their focus, he said, is on restoring regular order in the appropriations process and avoiding massive, last-minute omnibus bills. The House already passed a clean continuing resolution three weeks ago to keep the government running for seven more weeks.
Despite that effort, Democrats led by Schumer continue to hold out—leaving service members in limbo—in what Republicans argue is a bid to appease the party’s far-left base, which they say “wants to defund the military and defund the police.”
