This week marked the end of the senseless Schumer Shutdown — the longest shutdown in
American history. 42 days of uncertainty for Montana families and the public servants who keep
our skies safe, forests healthy, nation secure, and communities strong — all because Chuck
Schumer and Senate Democrats shut down the government to appease the radical base of their
party.

Schumer and Senate Democrats were solely responsible for putting critical resources Montanans
rely on at risk during this shutdown. That’s why I was glad to see the Senate reach an agreement
this week to reopen the government, and I sincerely thank the handful of Democrats who had the
political courage to cross the aisle and vote with Republicans to end this embarrassing shutdown.
Getting government operations opened up is the right thing to do for America, regardless of
party.

Despite Chuck Schumer creating chaos by keeping the government shut down, my office’s focus
sharpened on our most important charge: providing Montanans with high-quality, timely
constituent services.

Every day, government shutdown or not, my office is committed to positively impacting the lives
of veterans, seniors, small business owners, workers, farmers, ranchers, and all Montanans as
they navigate the federal government. Despite federal agency operations grinding to a halt over
the past month and a half, our team successfully closed more than 75 cases on behalf of
Montanans, resulting in savings of nearly $3 million for constituents.

Late on a Friday afternoon, we were proud to resolve an issue for a Montana veteran visiting a
national park, allowing him to proceed with his scheduled camping trip that weekend alongside
his service dog. Another day, we secured emergency passports for a Montana family when their
van was robbed while traveling internationally.

Whether you are a veteran looking to secure the care and benefits you have rightly earned, a
senior in need of a hand with the Social Security Administration, or a Montanan seeking
assistance with a federal agency, it is my office’s honor and highest charge to serve you.
As the government reopens and federal employees return to their posts, we will continue to
deliver Montanans the constituent services they deserve. I look forward to restoring badly needed
common sense in D.C. and getting back to work for the American people. If my office can ever
be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

US Senator Tim Sheehy

Published in Lee Enterprises newspapers, November 15, 2025
https://helenair.com/opinion/column/article_e3b084f5-6021-5f37-811e-f8e03f936b10.html