U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee’s 3rd District issued a statement following the federal government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Fleischmann, who serves as Chairman of Energy and Water Appropriations, criticized Democrats for what he described as their role in causing the shutdown.
“I’ve long said that government shutdowns are stupid and always cause more harm than good. Nearly two weeks ago, my colleagues and I on the Appropriations Committee led the way for the House to pass a simple, clean, non-partisan, short-term Continuing Resolution (C.R.) that would fund our government until November 21. Sadly, instead of working with Republicans in the House and Senate to pass the identical C.R. that Democrats supported in March, Democrats have chosen to block our non-partisan funding bill and force a government shutdown on the American People,” said Rep. Fleischmann.
He continued: “Our fellow Americans have the bare expectation that Congress keeps the lights on and doors open. That’s why I have principledly voted to avoid government shutdowns under both Republican and Democrat presidents. It’s time for Democrats to end their pointless political posturing and stop blocking the clean C.R. that is sitting in the Senate, collecting dust on Chuck Schumer’s desk. Every day that the Democrat Shutdown continues is another day that Americans are thrown into uncertainty, troops are not paid, our border security is weakened, and the high cost to taxpayers to reopen the government grows.”
Fleischmann added: “Once Schumer inevitably caves and Senate Democrats stop blocking the clean C.R., my colleagues and I on the Appropriations Committee and in the House will be ready to resume our good-faith negotiations to reach a FY26 funding deal that meets the needs of the American People.”
Chuck Fleischmann has represented Tennessee’s 3rd District in Congress since 2011 after succeeding Zach Wamp (https://fleischmann.house.gov/about). He was born in New York City in 1962 and currently lives in Chattanooga (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/F000459). Fleischmann earned his undergraduate degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1983 before receiving his law degree from University of Tennessee in 1986.
