Colorado Republican Legislators Urge Senate to Prevent Government Shutdown
(Denver, CO, September 29, 2025) – Yesterday, Colorado Republican Legislators sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders urging immediate passage of a clean, short-term funding extension to prevent a government shutdown. Lawmakers emphasized that failure to act would jeopardize essential services, disrupt pay for service members and first responders, and harm families across Colorado and the nation.
The letter read as follows:
"September 28, 2025,
The Honorable Chuck Grassley
President Pro Tempore
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable John Barrasso
Majority Whip
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Minority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Dick Durbin
Minority Whip
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Senators,
We, the Republican Representatives and Senators from Colorado, urgently request the Senate to immediately pass a clean, short-term funding extension. This action is critical to prevent a government shutdown, which would severely impact hardworking Coloradans. As the September 30th funding deadline looms, the threat of a government shutdown casts a long shadow over Colorado and the nation, jeopardizing essential services and economic stability. We call on the Senate to quickly pass the clean, short-term extension that has already garnered bipartisan support in the House of Representatives.
Withholding federal government funding is not merely a political debate in Washington D.C.; it carries immediate and tangible consequences for Coloradans and all Americans that must be acknowledged. A government shutdown can and must be avoided. The repercussions for Americans would be severe and entirely unnecessary, affecting the pay of our first responders, including service members and firefighters. Additionally, essential services for seniors and veterans, as well as food assistance for families in need, would face significant coverage interruptions.
Senate Democrats should support the proposed solution, especially since they voted for this funding extension only six months ago. The extension of clean funding provides stability for our military service members, veterans, and their families, and ensures the continuity of low-income assistance programs. A government shutdown would cause immediate disruption to our economy and stability of our essential support services, further eroding public trust. Families and communities would suffer the consequences directly, and without warning. Using a potential shutdown as a political tool for partisan reforms is an unacceptable bargaining tactic.
The proposed budget extension offers a clean, short-term, bipartisan solution to current fiscal challenges, free of divisive elements. Historically, such initiatives gain wide support, demonstrating a shared commitment to fiscal responsibility. This approach ensures a firm foundation for long-term discussions and maintains government operations. The Biden Administration and Democratic congressional leadership passed 13 clean funding extensions, prioritizing national stability and essential government operations. This approach highlighted their dedication to legislative responsibilities, establishing a model for bipartisan collaboration and shared prosperity. This principled commitment is essential and must be maintained.
A government shutdown is both irresponsible and unsustainable, and the American people recognize this. We urge Senate Democrats to set aside political posturing, fulfill their responsibilities, and prioritize the nation's best interest by keeping the government operational. Preventing an immediate government shutdown is paramount, as it jeopardizes critical funding, particularly for rural healthcare. Such a shutdown would undermine the vital investments in rural healthcare for millions of Americans, which were secured through the President’s recent tax legislation. While long-term budgetary discussions are important, the current focus must be on avoiding this disastrous outcome.
We urge the Senate to swiftly pass a clean funding extension. Government stability is crucial for the nation's well-being and impacts millions. For the sake of security and stability, we respectfully call on you to act without delay.
Sincerely,
The undersigned Republican Members of the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate"
