As the so-called “Schumer Shutdown” enters its second week, Republican leaders are raising alarms about the growing toll on military families, who now face missed paychecks and mounting financial stress. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas — a former Air Force officer and chairman of the Republican Study Committee — said he’s hearing directly from struggling service members, with some families unsure how they’ll afford their next meal. “You can’t focus on the mission when you’re worried about making ends meet,” Pfluger said.

On an October 10 press call, Pfluger was joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise to condemn Senate Democrats for blocking funding bills. The Republican leaders accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of prioritizing his political future over the well-being of military personnel and the broader federal workforce.

Pfluger pointed to a reported comment from a Democratic aide, who said the party “won’t budge short of planes falling out of the sky,” calling it a “vile and deeply offensive” remark that reflects a lack of empathy for military families. He argued that Democrats are out of touch with the real-life consequences of their inaction and urged them to consider the hardship being inflicted on troops and their families.

Speaker Johnson blasted Democrats as “modern-day profiles in fear and cowardice,” claiming their refusal to act stems from fear of their radical base. Scalise echoed this sentiment, calling the shutdown a “self-inflicted wound” driven by Schumer’s fear of a primary challenge, and emphasized that a third of military families live paycheck to paycheck.

All three leaders stressed that Republicans have taken multiple votes to fund the government and support the military, and remain united behind President Trump and Senate Republicans. Pfluger concluded by challenging Democrats to visit military bases and see firsthand the impact of the shutdown on those who serve.