Why Business Leaders Should Speak Out During the Shutdown
On October 1, 2025, Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill to keep the federal government open. Three weeks have passed, and there is still no clear path forward. With each passing day, Republicans and Democrats alike become further entrenched in their positions, convinced that their cause is just. As a result, hardworking Americans, their families, and their businesses suffer. Government representatives who contend that holding out for an uncompromising win will be beneficial in the long run fail to appreciate the extent of the ongoing harm, and that whatever benefits may materialize in the future are quickly being erased by the damage inflicted now on so many Americans, as well as the millions of small businesses—government contractors and commercial firms alike—that both parties agree form the backbone of the U.S. economy. Business leaders are uniquely situated as they have a direct view of the negative impact of the shutdown on their companies, their employees, and t...