News & Opinion

Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), published the below opinion piece in Stars and Stripes to detail the impacts of the Democrat-led government shutdown on America’s veterans and to urge Senate Democrats to reopen the government by passing the clean, House-passed continuing resolution (CR) funding bill.

Chairman Bost and Whip Emmer: Democrats must stop playing politics with America’s veterans and reopen the government

By Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill. and Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

October 1, 2025

Democrats are playing a dangerous political game, and their pawns? America’s veterans.

Almost two weeks ago, House Republicans passed a nonpartisan, clean continuing resolution to keep the government open and working for the American people. This government funding bill is straightforward and ensures that there are no interruptions to the services our veterans and their families rely on. 

All but one House Democrat voted against that clean funding bill —including every Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. On Tuesday, Democrats in the Senate voted against it as well, shutting down the government. 

The Democratic Party has put its radical, extreme base’s desires ahead of the American people. By using government funding as a negotiating tactic — something many Democrats have previously said is unacceptable — veterans and their families are left with uncertainty. 

Instead of ensuring our veterans have uninterrupted access to care, benefits and services, Democrats are standing boldly with illegal aliens, liberal news organizations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) projects abroad. 

By voting against the House-passed CR, Democrats are jeopardizing funding for key VA programs like the Fox Grant program, which provides mental health support for thousands of veterans and their families across the country. In 2022, there were 6,407 suicides among veterans; that’s an average of 17.6 veterans lost to suicide every day during that year. For veterans facing mental health challenges after their service, the care made possible through this program could be the difference between life and death. Sadly, Democrats are putting veterans’ mental health on the line to prove a political point. 

That’s not the only program facing interruptions because of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s misplaced priorities. 

By leading us into a purposeful shutdown, Democrats are allowing a grant program for the reintegration of homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children to tragically expire. Further, the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which provides career counseling for service members transitioning out of the military every single day — around the world — is also at risk. 

This shameful negligence of veterans in vulnerable situations is unacceptable.

If Democrats won’t listen to us, they should listen to the multiple veteran groups voicing their concerns. 

Vietnam Veterans of America warned, “Every day of delay caused by partisan conflict means veterans remain on the streets, families wait for benefits decisions and momentum toward solving the suicide crisis is lost. I appeal to both of you, as leaders of your caucuses, to resist the pull of political brinkmanship and work together with the President to keep the government open.” 

American Legion, the largest veteran service organization with more than 1.6 million members, advocated for the House-passed CR, saying its passage would “protect lifelines that combat veteran suicide, expand access to mental health in rural communities, and prevent veteran homelessness.” 

And if Democrats refuse to listen to America’s veterans, they should at least listen to themselves. 

Just last year, Schumer warned that a government shutdown would result in veteran support services being “put on halt.” His fellow Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen said in 2023 that a shutdown would be “devastating” for Nevada families, in part because it would “stop certain services for veterans.” 

The time is now to stop playing political games and pandering to a far-left base that is out of touch with not only the American people — but also the millions of men and women who have worn the Stars and Stripes on their right arm. 

Democrats should listen to the pleas of our nation’s veterans and heed their own words: reject partisanship, stand with America’s veterans, and reopen the government.

Tom Emmer, a Republican, represents Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is House majority whip. Mike Bost, a Republican, represents Illinois’ 12th Congressional District. He is chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.