Sioux City Times

Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator representing Iowa, made a series of posts on her official X account on October 20, 2025, addressing the ongoing government shutdown and related political issues.

In her first post at 15:30 UTC, Ernst criticized the financial impact of the shutdown, stating, "The Schumer Shutdown is giving 750,000 'non-essential' bureaucrats a backpaid vacation on YOUR dime. Taxpayers are already on the hook for $5.6 billion – which increases by $400 million every 'work' day."

Later, at 17:28 UTC, Ernst accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of prioritizing politics over public interest, writing, "By shutting down the government, Chuck Schumer is putting politics over the will of the people."

In a subsequent post at 18:28 UTC, Ernst expressed support for former President Donald Trump, stating, "President Trump is standing up for American lives and making our communities safer."

Government shutdowns in the United States occur when Congress fails to pass funding legislation for federal agencies, resulting in the furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal employees and suspension of many government services. During such shutdowns, affected federal workers typically receive back pay once funding is restored, regardless of whether they performed their duties during the closure. The cost of shutdowns can be significant, impacting both government operations and the broader economy.

Senator Ernst’s comments reflect ongoing partisan debates about responsibility for government shutdowns and their consequences for taxpayers and federal employees.