WASHINGTON, D.C.(HubCityRadio)- At midnight(11PM Central Time) the U.S. Senate was unable to fund government which led to a government shutdown for the first time since December 2018.  Here are reactions we’re seeing from that.

Senator Majority Leader John Thune wants the process to go back to what it has been in the past.

Congressman Dusty Johnson released the following statement:

“I’ve said it thousands of times – shutdowns are stupid. The House has done its work to avoid a shutdown, and I voted to keep the government open. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats voted to shut the government down, putting the American worker’s paychecks at risk. Instead, Democrats want $1.5 trillion of new, unnecessary spending to continue COVID-era health care subsidies for illegal immigrants and rich Americans.

I will not receive a paycheck during a shutdown, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop working to find a solution. I’ve even introduced the Eliminate Shutdowns Act to prevent shutdowns from ever happening again. Shutdowns are costly and do not serve the American people.”

Governor Larry Rhoden on X(formerly Twitter):

In the short-term, South Dakota is prepared to handle this federal shutdown with minimal impact. National Parks (including Mount Rushmore) will remain open. The vast majority of government programs will not see any change — for now. It’s time for Senate Democrats to do their job and stop playing politics. South Dakotans want common sense government, not taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants.”

Chair of the South Dakota Democrats, Shane Merrill released the following:

“It is disheartening that Republicans, who control the House, Senate and White House, have decided a shutdown is more important than coming to the table to negotiate with Democrats,” said SDDP Chair Shane Merrill. “Right now South Dakotans are facing rising prices on everything. Democrats are trying to make sure their healthcare costs also don’t go up. This shutdown is also deeply personal. As farmers go to the fields to harvest their crops at a loss, a shutdown could be detrimental if county FSA offices are unable to open at such a crucial time. Agriculture is South Dakota’s number one industry and I would hope our members of Congress remember that.”

According to the South Dakota Democrats’ press release:

• About 11,500 South Dakotans work for the federal government. Not only will many of them not receive a paycheck, President Trump has also said he wants to cut their positions.
• 53,000 South Dakotans rely on the ACA premium tax credits to afford health care. The program ends this year and must be extended now before insurers release their rates.
• A quarter of farmers receive their health insurance through the ACA Marketplace.
• If the tax credits aren’t extended, South Dakotans will have to pay double the price for their monthly premiums.