This content was created by Your Advisor. This content was uploaded by Your Advisor. This is a YouTube video titled "DEMOCRAT SHUTDOWN: Americans call on Democrats to reopen the government" created on October 16, 2025. It features multiple speakers including farmers, federal firefighters, and law enforcement officers expressing the negative impacts of the government shutdown on their lives and urging Congress to reopen the government.
Chapters
My name is Jesse Fly. I farm in northeast Arkansas. The government shutdown is currently putting a great stress on our operation. This stress becomes larger every day. We urge Congress to reopen the government every day. This doesn't happen. It punishes us.
My name is Joe McDaniel, I'm a cotton farmer from Tipton County, Tennessee. We're about halfway through with our cotton harvest this fall. But this year with the government shutdown, we're not able to get our cotton classed and enrolled in the USDA loan program. We need the government open. We need USDA and its programs to help us cash flow in the market this crop because we can't sell with prices where they are.
My name is Kathryn Boulin and I'm an Iowa farmer. And every day is not getting better for hard working Americans. Families like mine are stretching every dollar while Washington plays politics.
As a farmer in central Iowa, I'm telling you that every day the government is shut down. Hard working Americans continue to suffer. My name is Buddy Hughes and I'm a small builder developer from Lexington, North Carolina. I'm here today to urge Congress end this shutdown as soon as possible. Any federal program that touches housing from loan processing to block grants is slowing down. We got about 18,000 Iowans that are gonna not get paid soon. We're gonna lose our SNAP benefits.
I'm a wife to an air traffic controller. We are already seeing the effects of it on our family.
Hello, my name is Mike Wanklen. I'm a firefighter at Joint Base Myers and all in Arlington, Virginia. Shut down is causing much unneeded stress. For a job that is really stressful. Not knowing when the next paycheck is coming is terrifying. We all have rent due, car payments, mortgages and overall need to provide for our families.
My name is Bryce Morgan, president of IFF Local F88, Federal Firefighters for Wright Pat Air Force Base. With the already recognized deficiencies in our pay and hours worked, we are currently being forced to work for no pay until a budget or continuing resolution pass Congress. I'm asking Congress to reach an agreement for the budget so we, the ones who support the missions at military installations can have a burden lifted and get back to normalcy of our everyday lives.
Hi, my name is Wes and I'm a federal firefighter. My crew and I are still reporting for duty every day protecting lives, property and our nation. But during a government shutdown, we're doing it without pay. We're essential employees so we don't get to stay home. We're proud to serve, but Our families are struggling while Congress fails to do its job. To every member of Congress, your decisions have real consequences. We are here when America needs us. Please come together and fund the government.
I'm Kelly Durek, wife of Lt. Gregory Durek with the Mid Atlantic Navy Regional Fire Department. My husband protects our military bases every single day. Fires, medical emergencies, you name it. He doesn't get to stop just because the government shut down. Federal firefighters keep showing up for this country. It's our time. Our government shows up for them with fair on time pay for the work they've already done.
My name is Josh, a federal firefighter with 18 years of service to the federal government. I'm a husband and father of three and the conversations I have recently had with my wife are ones that I thought would never have to happen. Not knowing when my next paycheck is coming has had us talk about possibly canceling my son's upcoming birthday party. Please, we ask that you do what you can. We've done our part. We show up to work, we do our job. We just ask that you please find a resolution.
My name is Matthew Silverman and I serve as the national president for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers association, representing almost 35,000 federal agents and officers. As you know, our federal agents and officers are on the streets on a daily basis ensuring the safety of all of our citizens. And right now, they are doing this without being paid. I have received over a hundred phone calls and emails explaining to me that these members are unsure if they are going to be able to pay their bills, pay their mortgage, or put food on the tables for their families.
I'm Ross Vieira. As a military veteran, I see firsthand how the government shutdown isn't just political games. It's hurting real families. We are struggling as the services are stalled and our nation's security is compromised. This is not a time for partisan games, and the Democrats need to stop holding everything hostage and reopen the government now.
