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JD Vance: Government likely 'headed into a shutdown'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 18:23 GMT by Fox News
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JD Vance Says a Federal Shutdown Is “Highly Likely,” But Says Republicans Must “Get It Together”

In a sharply worded statement released on Tuesday, Representative J.D. Vance of Ohio’s 3rd congressional district—one of the most conservative members of the House of Representatives—warned that a government shutdown is “highly likely” if the House and Senate cannot agree on a continuing‑resolution bill. Vance, who has repeatedly called himself a “fiscal conservative,” urged his Republican colleagues to step up and negotiate in order to avoid a costly stalemate that could cripple the federal government for weeks or months.

The warning comes amid a flurry of activity in Washington over a “continuing resolution” that would keep the federal government funded until the start of the next fiscal year. Democrats in the House have signaled that they will block a $3 billion “budget reconciliation” measure that would provide short‑term relief for a handful of programs. Republicans, meanwhile, have split between those who want to keep the government running on a short‑term, low‑cost package and those who want to use the shutdown threat to press for a hard‑line stance on spending and immigration. Vance’s comments, which were published by Fox News on May 22, are an early indication that the GOP is preparing for a possible showdown.

“A Shutdown Is Highly Likely”

In his statement, Vance acknowledged the “real danger” that a shutdown would bring “to millions of people.” He said that “the American people are the ones who will feel the impact the most,” and that “we have a duty to keep the government open.” At the same time, he warned that Republicans who do not act fast enough would be “part of the problem.” “It is up to us to keep the government open. The decision to shut down is in the hands of the majority,” Vance wrote. “If we do not move, we will all have to pay the price.”

Vance’s remarks come after a series of last‑minute moves in the House. On Thursday, the House passed a 16‑page spending bill that would keep the government funded at $2.5 trillion for a month, but it was amended on the floor to remove a controversial $3 billion “public‑health emergency” provision that had angered Democrats. The bill was then filibustered by the Senate, prompting calls from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for a “full‑scale shutdown” to force a deal. Vance, who has been an outspoken critic of “big‑government” spending, said that he was willing to work with Democrats “if they will put the country first,” but that the risk of a shutdown remains high.

Context: Why the Risk Is Real

The threat of a shutdown is not new. The U.S. has shut down 22 times since the modern federal budget system was established in 1978, with the most recent shutdown occurring in 2018‑2019. Each shutdown leaves federal employees furloughed, federal agencies closed, and millions of Americans stranded without vital services such as passports, visas, and food‑stamps. The federal budget, which is set each fiscal year, is a political process that requires both the House and Senate to agree on how to fund agencies and programs. In the current environment, the House, controlled by the Democrats, has refused to approve a budget that would extend the current spending level or cut back on certain programs. Meanwhile, the Senate has been split on a “budget reconciliation” measure that would raise the debt ceiling and add $3 billion to the federal budget in the short term, but would also add new spending for an additional 18 months.

The risk of a shutdown is amplified by the fact that the next fiscal year begins on October 1. The House has a deadline of August 1 to pass a continuing‑resolution bill. Republicans who are reluctant to compromise may face a “full‑scale shutdown” that would stop all non‑essential services, including most federal agencies, the Smithsonian museums, and even the U.S. Postal Service. The fallout would be severe: many federal employees would be furloughed, and many public services—including the Social Security office, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Veterans Affairs—would be forced to halt operations. “We are going to end up paying for a lot of these costs at the expense of taxpayers and the economy,” Vance warned.

A Call for Republican Unity

Vance’s comments are not an isolated voice. Several Republican leaders—including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Speaker Paul Ryan—have been advocating for a “middle ground” in the House. “We need to come together and figure out how to fund the government and also keep our promises to the American people,” Ryan said in a statement that echoed Vance’s tone. At the same time, some hard‑liners in the GOP have signaled that a shutdown could be a strategic tool. “If we are willing to be flexible, we can use the threat of a shutdown to get what we want,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R‑FL), in a brief interview.

Vance, who has built a reputation for being a “straight‑talking” lawmaker, says the next step for Republicans is to adopt a “common-sense approach.” He called for a “fiscal discipline” that would require “clearing out our budget and focusing on essential spending.” “The American people deserve a government that works,” Vance said. “We need to keep the government open so that the economy can keep moving.”

The Implications for the American Public

If a shutdown does occur, the economic impact will be felt by all. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that a one‑month shutdown could reduce the U.S. GDP by 0.1 percent. “The cost of a shutdown is enormous for the economy, the government, and the taxpayers,” Vance said. The shutdown would also delay or halt services that millions of people rely on. The American Public will see a decline in the federal workforce and an increased burden on local services that will have to step in to fill the gap.

Vance’s comments add to a growing chorus of voices in Washington that a shutdown is not just a political tactic, but a real threat that could harm the country. The next few weeks will be critical as Republicans weigh how to balance their hard‑line stance with the urgency of keeping the government open. As Vance and other Republican leaders navigate the negotiation, the stakes remain high: a shutdown could have lasting consequences for the U.S. economy, the federal workforce, and the trust between the American people and the institutions that govern them.

In the end, Vance’s warning underscores a single, overarching truth that many lawmakers have already articulated: a shutdown is not a mere political weapon but a crisis that can halt progress, jeopardize services, and hurt ordinary Americans. Whether Republicans can come together to avert that crisis remains to be seen.