Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has called for bipartisan cooperation to end the current federal government shutdown. In a statement released on October 1, 2025, Buchanan criticized Democrats for what he described as prioritizing partisan demands over responsible governance.
“America deserves cooperation, not a government shutdown. Unfortunately, Democrats chose to put partisan demands ahead of responsible governing, forcing a shutdown that will hurt seniors, veterans, military families and hardworking Americans. House Republicans acted responsibly by passing a clean, short-term continuing resolution that simply extended existing spending levels approved under President Biden,” Buchanan said.
He further claimed that Democrats insisted on repealing the Working Families Tax Cut and adding $1.5 trillion in additional provisions as conditions for keeping the government open. “Rather than work with us to keep the government open, Democrats refused unless Congress repealed the Working Families Tax Cut and tacked on a $1.5 trillion partisan wishlist. Their ludicrous demands don’t stand a chance, and Republicans will not be held hostage by such shameful political tactics. Even Chuck Schumer has admitted that ‘if the government shuts down, it will be average Americans who suffer most.’ That’s precisely what will happen unless my Democratic colleagues return to the table in good faith,” Buchanan stated.
Buchanan emphasized Congress’s constitutional duty to fund the government and urged immediate bipartisan negotiations: “The American people expect Congress to meet its most basic constitutional responsibility: keeping the government funded. I urge Democrats to set aside politics, join Republicans in reopening the government immediately and continue bipartisan negotiations on long-term funding. Our troops, veterans, seniors and families depend on it.”
Buchanan has represented Florida’s 16th district in Congress since 2007 after replacing Katherine Harris. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives and is originally from Detroit, Michigan. Buchanan was born in 1951 and currently resides in Sarasota. He holds degrees from Cleary University (1975) and the University of Detroit Mercy (1986).
