It’s time to govern responsibly — not spend recklessly
No one wins when government grinds to a halt. Whether in Harrisburg or Washington, the ripple effects of stalled budgets and shutdowns reach far beyond the Capitol steps. Schools, small businesses, nonprofits, and working families are the ones left waiting and worrying.
We’ve both heard from those caught in the middle — nonprofits waiting for state payments, federal workers uncertain about their next paycheck, parents anxious about food assistance. These aren’t just numbers on a page; they’re real people who deserve a government that works reliably and responsibly.
Yet Pennsylvanians are needlessly suffering because of the Democratic-led shutdown in Washington and Gov. Josh Shapiro’s protracted budget impasse in Harrisburg.
At both the state and federal levels, divided government is a reality.
In Harrisburg, passing a budget requires 102 votes in the House, 26 in the Senate, and one signature from the Governor. Democrats control the state House and governor’s office, while Republicans control the State Senate.
In Washington, it takes 218 votes in the House, 60 in the Senate (despite those who choose to forget their civics lessons about the filibuster), and one signature from the president. Republicans don’t have 60 Senate votes in Washington, meaning Democrats must agree to any funding measure to reopen the government. Those Democratic Senators who are in the way of an open and operating government, might boast about their “leverage,” but to Pennsylvanians, it isn’t a political game.
As a former state senator and current Vice Chair of the House Budget Committee, I (Rep. Smucker) know how difficult these budget negotiations can be. And as a current state representative who drives Meals on Wheels routes in York County, I (Rep. D’Orsie) know how crucial steady funding is for those in need, like our local senior centers.
The frustration of Pennsylvanians is justified — but it’s also important to understand the numbers. The Independent Fiscal Office projects $44.6 billion in state revenue for this fiscal year. Gov. Shapiro’s original proposal of $51.5 billion would spend nearly $7 billion more than we are taking in, guaranteeing future tax hikes to fill the gap.
Structural deficits lead to higher taxes that fall hardest on working families and small businesses. That’s why Senate Republicans advanced a budget that more accurately reflects the reality of our commonwealth’s financial situation.
The same principle applies at the federal level. The House recently passed a clean continuing resolution to fund the government — free of unrelated policy riders — while full-year appropriations are debated under regular order. Instead of supporting funding levels that they previously agreed to in March, Senate Democrats have chosen to keep the government shut down.
Shutdowns don’t save money; they waste it, costing more than keeping operations running. Meanwhile, Democrats are pushing for $1.5 trillion in new spending at a time when our national debt exceeds $38 trillion. That’s not sustainable — and it’s not fair to future generations. We must change our fiscal trajectory.
A recent editorial in this publication painted Republicans in both Harrisburg and Washington as idle or indifferent. Nothing could be further from the truth. In both capitols, Republicans have advanced real, workable solutions to prevent harm and restore stability.
Fiscal discipline isn’t callous — it’s responsible governance. Telling the truth about financial limits is leadership, not neglect. Pretending there’s no limit to government spending may feel compassionate in the short term, but it ultimately undermines the very programs people rely on most.
And let’s be clear: when one party refuses to negotiate unless its full spending wish list is met, it’s not Republicans holding up government operations — it’s Democrats who are using the suffering of families as political leverage.
Democrats have even said the quiet part out loud. House Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (MA-05) said: “I mean shutdowns are terrible. And of course, there will be, ya know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously, but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”
That’s not leadership, it’s the worst kind of politics.
We must get back to basics: meet government funding deadlines and end the brinkmanship that leaves families suffering.
In both Harrisburg and Washington, Republicans have already advanced solutions to end these impasses and put government back to work. It’s time for our Democratic colleagues to join us.
Standing for fiscal responsibility isn’t obstruction — it’s leadership. And it’s the kind of leadership the people of Pennsylvania deserve.
— U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker serves Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District, including Lancaster and southern York counties. State Rep. Joe D’Orsie represents the 47th Legislative District including portions of eastern York County.