Missouri lawmakers react to government shutdown

WASHINGTON D.C. (News-Press NOW) -- Missouri lawmakers and government officials are sharing their reactions following the first government shutdown in seven years.

A bill to extend federal funding until Nov. 20 has failed repeatedly in the United States Senate, including Wednesday on a 55-45 vote.

The bill needs 60 votes to advance.

"Democrats just voted to shut down the government," said U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in a post on X. "Their plan is to restore funding to woke USAID programs, NPR and healthcare for illegal immigrants."

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) also relayed a series of responses in Steve Bannon's War Room.

"I'm sorry, but I just think the American people are going to look at this and say, 'Hold on, I can't now go to the VA?' I can hear farmers...You can't go to the USDA and get the programs that you've applied for, that you're paying for with your tax money," said Hawley. "Medicaid reimbursements, that's all gonna stop because Democrats just don't like the guy who won the election."

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe also reacted to the shutdown in a post on X.

"Missourians deserve stability and common-sense governing in Washington, not political gamesmanship that puts partisan interests ahead of American families," said Kehoe. "This is a Democrat-led federal shutdown."