NW Twin Cities

Tom Emmer, U.S. Congressman representing Minnesota’s 6th district since 2015, criticized Senate Democrats in a series of social media posts regarding the ongoing government shutdown and its potential impacts on federal programs.

On September 30, 2025, Emmer called on Democratic lawmakers to support a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. He wrote, "Democrats: Do the right thing. Keep the government open by voting for a continuing resolution, something you passed 13 TIMES during the Biden administration. Don’t hold nutrition programs, veterans’ benefits, and troops’ pay hostage to appease your far-left, out-of-touch base."

Later that evening, Emmer posted another message after the Senate vote. On September 30 he stated, "Democrats in the Senate just voted to shut the government down. This will impact food assistance programs, veterans’ care, troops’ pay, TSA agents’ and air traffic controllers’ pay, and so much more. Their reason? They want to restore taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal".

The following day on October 1, Emmer continued his criticism of Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer regarding health care access during the shutdown period. He posted: "Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer’s government shutdown allows health care services to lapse for millions of Americans. They may claim otherwise, but Democrats have no moral high ground to stand on when it comes to health care."

Emmer has represented Minnesota's 6th District in Congress since replacing Michele Bachmann in 2015 and previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Born in South Bend, Indiana in 1961 and currently residing in Delano at age 62, he holds degrees from both University of Alaska-Fairbanks (BA) and William Mitchell College of Law (JD).