Nebraska lawmakers react as federal government shuts down

Government shutdown begins after lawmakers hit deadlock, new paid sick time law begins today in Nebraska, and more.

By 10/11 NOW (KOLN/KGIN)

(October 1, 2025)

The federal government officially shut down just after midnight Wednesday, the first shutdown in nearly seven years, after lawmakers failed to agree on an extension of funding.

The Senate voted 55-45 on a short-term bill to keep the government open for seven more weeks, but the measure fell short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

Conservative leaders in Washington and Nebraska blamed Democrats for the shutdown, while Democrats accused Republicans of refusing to negotiate.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon said, “I think they don’t realize that when you have a shutdown, you give power to the president, you give power to the executive branch, and I’ve seen this on the other, I was standing in the other shoes in the previous 4 years and we, always knew that Joe Biden would take actions we wouldn’t agree with during a shutdown. So it always made us resistant about doing a shutdown.”

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith released the following statement on the shutdown:

“This unfortunate shutdown was avoidable. Earlier in September, House Republicans passed a bill to provide time to responsibly address spending. The fact Democrats don’t want our country to move forward while they make ideological demands is unfortunate for veterans and others who are served by federal agencies, for our servicemembers who are now at risk of going without pay for a time, and for the American people.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood also issued a statement ahead of the government shutdown:

“A federal government shutdown is looming as Washington Democrats hold up government funding. One of the consequences of this will be that the National Flood Insurance Program will be severely impacted at midnight tonight. This means no new flood insurance contracts will be issued and consequently real estate transactions that require flood insurance may get held up. Democrats need to come to the table and vote to keep the government open, so we can make Washington work for the people and keep critical programs like flood insurance available.”

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts also pointed the blame at Democrats in his statement:

“The Democrats just voted to shutdown government. They voted against a clean continuing resolution (CR) that would have funded government for seven weeks. Previously, they had voted for this exact budget. In fact, Democrats voted for a clean CR 13 times under Joe Biden. This Schumer Shutdown is the height of hypocrisy. Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats know this. Yet they continue to hold the nation hostage. Senate Republicans will continue working to responsibly fund the government. This is a Schumer Shutdown.”

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer said that her office would remain open during the government shutdown:

“Today, I voted for a clean funding resolution that keeps the government open so Congress can continue working on our full-year funding bills. The Democrats, instead, voted for a $1 trillion increase in new spending and to eliminate the $50 billion Rural Hospital Stabilization Fund. Let me be clear: Americans deserve a transparent and accountable process as we fund government – not a Schumer shutdown filled with political theater. As we work toward a solution, my staff and I will continue to work for Nebraska, and my offices will remain open for the duration of a government shutdown.”

The Nebraska Democratic Party assigned the blame to republicans, saying that they avoided negotiations that could have prevented the shutdown:

“Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans own the pending government shutdown. Instead of putting American families first, Trump and Republicans choose to enrich their billionaire buddies and threaten mass layoffs for federal workers, as if they are the problem. Instead of moving our country forward, they enact hurtful tariffs that will cause farmers and small businesses to go bankrupt.

By controlling the presidency, the Senate, and the House, Republicans have no excuse. This includes all of Nebraska’s federal delegation. Instead of negotiating in good faith, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told his members to go home during the most critical time, allowing the government to come to a standstill.

Democrats have been unified in lowering costs, saving healthcare for millions of Americans, and pushing back on Trump and Speaker Johnson’s disastrous policies that do nothing to put American families first.”

Wednesday morning, the local coalition Nebraska For Us will gather outside Congressman Don Bacon’s west Omaha office to call on Nebraska’s federal delegation to reverse cuts to Medicaid and end the government shutdown.