Fact Sheet: How Republicans' Government Shutdown Would Hurt Texas Families

Here’s what a Republican shutdown could mean for Texas:

• Jeopardizes paychecks and jobs for civil servants. A shutdown would force more than 2 million federal employees and 1.3 million active-duty servicemembers nationwide to work without pay, while some agencies have already been told to prepare for permanent layoffs. In Texas, that means military servicemembers and more than 130,000 federal workers are facing missed paychecks because of the Republican shutdown.
• Rising health care costs. John Cornyn and Senate Republicans are pushing policies that will drive premiums up by letting Affordable Care Act tax credits expire in 2026. Without action, roughly 4 million Texans could lose coverage or see significantly higher costs for health insurance.
• Disrupts Social Security and Medicare services. Benefit checks would keep going out, but seniors and people with disabilities would face halted benefit verifications, delayed card replacements, and longer wait times for help.
• Threatens food security. Programs like SNAP, which help nearly 7 million women and children put food on the table, would run out of funding within days. In Texas, an estimated 3 million people rely on SNAP every month.
• Cuts off small business support. The Small Business Administration would stop processing new loans, creating turmoil for entrepreneurs and local businesses.
• Disrupts disaster relief. FEMA’s capacity to respond to hurricanes, wildfires, and floods would be constrained, leaving families in harm’s way.
• Hamstring air travel. TSA agents and air traffic controllers would work without pay, risking staffing shortages, flight delays, and longer lines at airports from Dallas to Houston to San Antonio, and more.

“MAGA Republicans like Senator Cornyn are making life less affordable at every turn,” said Senate Majority PAC Press Secretary Christyna Thompson. “Texas families were already stretched thin with rent, groceries, and health care bills. Now they’re facing missed paychecks, rising premiums, and vital programs on the chopping block. This proves Republicans couldn’t care less about making life affordable for working people; they’re too busy trying to score political points. Senator Cornyn could have worked with Democrats to keep the government open. Instead, he chose chaos, and it’s the people of Texas paying the price.”