On November 3, 2025, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) issued a statement regarding the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has now reached its 34th day. The Senate is expected to hold its fourteenth vote on November 4 in an effort to reopen the government after thirteen previous bipartisan attempts were blocked by Senate Democrats.
If the shutdown continues through tomorrow, it will tie the record for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history at 35 days.
Senator Mullin addressed recent disruptions caused by the shutdown, stating: “Yesterday, 84% of flight delays were due to staffing shortages in air traffic control towers as a result of the Schumer Shutdown,” said Senator Mullin. “While President Trump has done his best to shield Americans from the harsh consequences of a government shutdown, the only way to permanently end the hardship on Oklahoma families is for 5 more Senate Democrats to vote YES and reopen the government. I’ve voted 13 times to pay our troops, fund the SNAP and WIC programs, and turn the lights back on. I’m hopeful that after tomorrow, when the radical left will likely elect their new party leader—Communist Zohran Mamdani, enough Senate Democrats will join us in doing the right thing for the American people.”
The statement highlights that ongoing staffing shortages have contributed significantly to flight delays across the country and points out that essential services such as military pay and nutrition assistance programs remain unfunded during this period.
