House Republican Appropriators Robert Aderholt, Mark Alford, and Riley Moore have voiced concerns over the ongoing government shutdown, attributing it to what they describe as obstruction by Democratic leaders. The three representatives discussed the issue in a recent episode of the Right to the Point podcast, where they outlined the effects of the shutdown on rural hospitals, mining operations, and small businesses in their districts.
Robert Aderholt, Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, commented on efforts to restore regular order in Congress: “For the last several years, we’ve had those omnibus bills and there’s been no conference that we’ve had. I remember the day, I’ve been around for several years now, and I remember the day where we went to conference, and we sat around with the Senate. Our subcommittees and the subcommittee on our counterpart on the Senate side would sit around a table in one of the rooms in the Capitol and hash out to get an appropriations bill, individual appropriations bill. And those days have long been gone. And we were on the verge of trying to work toward that. And as Riley mentioned, we had three bills that not only the motion was mentioned on, but we went to conference, and we are in conference on those three bills right now. But really nothing much can happen until we can get the government open, until we can move forward with the rest of the bills. So I guess there is a chance we could move forward on those three bills at some point.”
Aderholt also highlighted actions taken during President Trump’s administration: “I think one thing that has made this shutdown different is because of the leadership of Donald Trump. Normally, there’s no money to pay the troops, there’s no money to pay the WIC program for women and infants and children, but Donald Trump has found a way to move some money around to get the money to these programs so the troops can be paid… I’ll give credit to Donald Trump for really trying to make the best of this situation with what is going on with the shutdown with the Democrats, trying to make it easy as possible on our troops, but obviously this money is going to run out. He will not be able to move that money around forever. It’s important that we do get back to regular order at some point, to make sure we are doing the business of the people that have elected us and sent us to Washington.”
Mark Alford serves as Vice Chair of Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Subcommittee. He discussed progress made by House Republicans: “We have done our part on the Appropriations Committee. We have passed all 12 appropriations bills out of committee. It was a hard-fought battle, with Democrats offering numerous, numerous amendments during this process. We got three passed off the House floor [and] sent them over to Senate to be in conference and [the Democrats] have done nothing with that. They’d rather shut down government than give us seven extra weeks till November 21st to get our funding done for 2026 return regular order really get back how should doing things…”
Alford criticized Democratic leaders’ approach: “Chuck Schumer is holding American people hostage… I think we’ve all seen strategy Democrats at this point Hakeem Jeffries master this P.T Barnum would very proud circus he’s holding front steps just about every day Capitol They’re singing songs He’s shaking his hand lot whatever does his hand but trying make point But I think what he’s doing most all deceiving American people They [Democrats] are saying that we are vacation don’t know about you guys but I’m not vacation am working my tail off here 4th Congressional District Missouri”
Riley Moore is Vice Chair of Legislative Branch Subcommittee. He addressed efforts by House Republicans: “We [House Republicans] worked hours hours hours get all 12 appropriations bills out committee because heard from people need want Our constitutional duty have some semblance regular order return appropriations process which exactly what we’re trying do And as you mentioned outset passed three bills floor We also last month had motion go conference When’s last time someone has uttered those words House floor It’s probably been little while And so Republicans trying bring regular order back appropriations process get away from massive omnibuses past all were trying do here short-term stopgap CR so could finish work appropriations committee which actually what American people want… So open government back up then can all get back work [and] get appropriations process back track…”
Moore continued regarding Democratic actions: “The Democrats their intransigence this just inexplicable It’s driven far left wing party as saw Schumer out there encouraging ‘No Kings’ rally asking people fight against Trump Administration Republicans when he himself who singular figure this shut down government along his party because worried about primary challenge 2028 from AOC One man’s blind ambition cling onto power United States Senate minority leader literally ground government halt don’t think right think American people don’t think right either”
He concluded by addressing Democrat demands: “It’s nonstarter Not mention not germane at all appropriations process or budget United States That’s whole separate issue They’re throwing many things they can wall try paint Republicans bad light fight ground feel confident about”
According Representatives Aderholt Alford Moore House Republicans acted keep government open passing clean nonpartisan funding extension more than month ago In contrast Democrats voted shut down since blocked every effort reopen it As result federal employees continue working without pay services remain cut down bare bones progress full-year appropriations remains stalled
