Let’s call this shutdown what it is: a national embarrassment. Once again, Congress has failed to do its most basic job — fund the government — and, once again, federal workers are being turned into bargaining chips in a high-stakes game of political chicken.

This time, Senator Ron Johnson (R–Wis.) tried to do something practical. His bill would have guaranteed pay for “essential” federal workers — those who still have to show up to keep the lights on — during the shutdown. It wasn’t a sweeping solution, but it was at least a lifeline. Predictably, the bill failed to clear the Senate, blocked mostly by Democrats. They said it didn’t go far enough. They may have a point, but their refusal to support even that modest protection shows that both parties are now more committed to political leverage than to the people who actually keep this country running.

Government by Crisis

This is what “governing by crisis” looks like. Every year or two, Washington drives the nation to the edge of the cliff — shutdowns, continuing resolutions, temporary fixes — because politicians can’t do the hard work of budgeting like adults.

Republicans talk about fiscal discipline (and they’re right to). Democrats talk about protecting workers (and that’s noble too). But at the end of the day, neither side seems willing to sit down, cut the waste, and agree on a sustainable, responsible budget before the deadline hits.

So, we get this: park rangers without paychecks, border agents working without pay, and families wondering how to cover rent or a car payment because of political dysfunction in D.C.

The Law Is Clear, Follow It

There’s another issue brewing that deserves attention: back pay. In 2019, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which guarantees that federal employees affected by a shutdown will receive their back pay when the government reopens. That’s not optional. It’s the law.

Now, reports are surfacing that some officials in the administration may be reinterpreting that promise, suggesting back pay isn’t automatic. If true, that’s a major problem. The federal government should be a model of keeping its word, not a master of fine print. A conservative principle I hold dear is that government must follow the law, not twist it for political convenience.

Compassion and Accountability Aren’t Enemies

Here’s where conservatives need to hold two truths at once: Yes, we believe in limited government, balanced budgets, and fiscal restraint. But we also believe in honoring work and rewarding service. These aren’t contradictory values; they’re biblical ones. As Paul wrote, “The labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Timothy 5:18). If we expect federal workers to keep the nation functioning — air traffic controllers, border patrol, military personnel, food inspectors — then we owe them the dignity of a paycheck, even when Congress is squabbling.

You don’t strengthen America by punishing its public servants. You strengthen it by holding lawmakers accountable, not the people who answer phones at the VA or keep your flights safe.

Shutdowns Are Not Conservative

Let’s be honest, shutdowns are not a conservative idea. They don’t save money; they waste it. Agencies spend millions restarting programs, federal contractors eat costs that are later reimbursed, and the economy takes a hit. There’s nothing “fiscally responsible” about forcing chaos and then cleaning it up with taxpayer money.

If Republicans want to champion responsible spending, they should push for structural reforms — automatic continuing resolutions, balanced budget rules, or a return to single-subject appropriations — not shutdown showdowns that accomplish nothing.

A Call to Serve, Not Showboat

Both parties should stop treating shutdowns as a media strategy. Federal workers aren’t bargaining chips; they’re citizens, parents, and patriots. They deserve a functioning government that honors their work, not a circus that turns their paychecks into talking points.

President Trump has said repeatedly that government should serve the people, not the other way around. On this point, he’s right. Washington needs to quit the theatrics, fund the government responsibly, and pay those who serve this country, on time, every time.

Shutdowns are a symptom of moral and managerial failure in Washington. It’s time to fix the disease, not just treat the symptoms. Pay the workers, cut the waste, and restore the basic competence our Republic deserves.