Congresswoman Claudia Tenney of New York’s 24th district has issued a statement criticizing Democratic leaders over the ongoing government shutdown, which is now in its second month. The shutdown has resulted in reduced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for more than 40 million Americans as of November 1, according to Tenney. Other consequences cited include missed paychecks for millions of federal employees, disruptions to rural air service and small business lending, and significant delays at airports due to TSA staffing shortages.
Tenney highlighted that military personnel and national security workers, including about 2 million servicemembers and hundreds of thousands of defense civilians, are continuing their duties without pay. She also noted that most staff at the National Nuclear Security Administration remain furloughed.
“We are well past the point where this shutdown is simply political theater; it has become a full-blown crisis created by Democrat leaders who refuse to govern,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “Families are seeing their food assistance reduced, small businesses are losing access to capital, and our troops are serving without pay. President Trump acted decisively to protect our servicemembers and sustain essential programs, yet Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand remain more focused on appeasing the radical base of their party than doing their jobs. House Republicans have put forward responsible solutions to reopen the government, but Democrats continue to block them. It’s time to stop the chaos, pass a clean funding bill, and put the American people first.”
Tenney has represented New York’s 24th congressional district since 2021 after succeeding Anthony Brindisi. She previously served in the New York State Assembly from 2011 to 2016. Born in New Hartford in 1961, Tenney currently resides in Canandaigua at age 62. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University earned in 1983 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati obtained in 1987.
