GOP Refuse to Work With Democrats Leading to Shutdown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1st, 2025

Sioux Falls, SD — This shut down of the federal government is solely on Republicans, especially Senate Majority Leader Thune. Democrats offered a package that would have kept healthcare affordable for millions of Americans, but the GOP refused to negotiate. Now, nearly 750,000 federal employees will be furloughed while others are working without pay. This shutdown was completely avoidable if Republicans had done their jobs and worked across the aisle to find compromises with Democrats.

• About 11,500 South Dakotans work for the federal government. Not only will many of them not receive a paycheck, President Trump has also said he wants to cut their positions.

• 53,000 South Dakotans rely on the ACA premium tax credits to afford health care. The program ends this year and must be extended now before insurers release their rates.

• A quarter of farmers receive their health insurance through the ACA Marketplace.

• If the tax credits aren't extended, South Dakotans will have to pay double the price for their monthly premiums.

"It is disheartening that Republicans, who control the House, Senate and White House, have decided a shutdown is more important than coming to the table to negotiate with Democrats," said SDDP Chair Shane Merrill. "Right now South Dakotans are facing rising prices on everything. Democrats are trying to make sure their healthcare costs also don't go up. This shutdown is also deeply personal. As farmers go to the fields to harvest their crops at a loss, a shutdown could be detrimental if county FSA offices are unable to open at such a crucial time. Agriculture is South Dakota's number one industry and I would hope our members of Congress remember that."

For questions, please contact Dan Ahlers, Executive Director of the SD Democratic Party at dan@sddp.org or 605-940-3071.

Paid for by the South Dakota Democratic Party | www.sddp.org