NW Twin Cities

Tom Emmer, U.S. Congressman representing Minnesota’s 6th district, has criticized Democratic lawmakers over the ongoing government shutdown in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on October 15 and 16, 2025.

On October 15, Emmer stated, "By shutting the government down, Democrats are doing anything BUT protecting Americans’ health care." Later that day, he wrote, "Democrats are doubling down on keeping the government closed to satisfy their radical far-left base. Meanwhile, Republicans and @POTUS stand ready to reopen with a clean, nonpartisan CR for the American people. The difference is clear."

On October 16, Emmer added, "Democrats are hurting Minnesotans with their unnecessary government shutdown."

Emmer has represented Minnesota’s 6th district in the U.S. Congress since 2015, succeeding Michele Bachmann. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Emmer, who was born in South Bend, Indiana in 1961, currently resides in Delano, Minnesota. He holds a BA from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and a JD from William Mitchell College of Law.

The government shutdown referenced in Emmer’s statements has led to partisan disagreements, with Republicans and Democrats offering different approaches to reopening the government. Emmer’s remarks highlight ongoing debates about the impact of the shutdown on healthcare and constituents in Minnesota.