Minnesota State Wire

Brad Finstad, Representative of Minnesota, has urged the state's senators to take action to end the ongoing government shutdown, citing the negative impact on residents. The statement was made on the social media platform X.

"My fellow Minnesota Republicans and I are calling on Senators Klobuchar and Smith to do the right thing: end the shutdown," said Bradley Howard Finstad, U.S. Representative of Minnesota's 1st Congressional District (R). "Every day that the government stays shut, is another day that hardworking Minnesotans pay the price."

In October 2025, the government shutdown continued as the Senate repeatedly failed to advance a stopgap bill. According to MPR News, the chamber adjourned after multiple unsuccessful votes. Senator Amy Klobuchar described health care as "an urgent issue," while Senator Tina Smith reiterated her opposition to the GOP measure. The deadlock revolved around funding levels and health policy riders. Minnesota's delegation emphasized the local impacts while advocating for a comprehensive agreement to reopen the government.

Minnesota faces significant challenges due to the shutdown. KTTC reported, citing Congressional Research Service data, that approximately 18,000 federal workers in the state are experiencing furloughs or delayed pay. State and local leaders have warned of slowed permits, paused grants, and strain on programs like WIC and Head Start as weeks of shutdown accumulate. These disruptions affect both rural and urban economies across Minnesota.

The 2025 standoff mirrors the 2018–2019 shutdown in scope but adds uncertainty. FOX 9 reported that the previous shutdown lasted 35 days with national output losses estimated at roughly $11 billion by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The 2013 shutdown lasted 16 days with more limited impacts in Minnesota, primarily affecting parks and permits. Current officials warn that broader program delays and a larger workforce footprint could exacerbate statewide effects.

Finstad represents Minnesota’s 1st District in the U.S. House and serves on several committees including Agriculture, Armed Services, and Small Business Committees. He chairs Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture. His recent statements have focused on securing funding to mitigate shutdown impacts.