Columbia News

Rep. Mark Alford, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Missouri’s 4th district since 2023, used his social media platform on September 29, 2025, to address the looming threat of a government shutdown and express his views on the ongoing partisan debate in Washington.

In a post published at 19:08 UTC, Alford wrote, " The clock runs out TOMORROW. @HouseGOP wants to keep the government OPEN with a clean extension. Democrats are dragging America into a shutdown to appease their radical base. This isn’t governing, it’s political blackmail."

Later that evening, at 20:27 UTC, he posted another message contrasting Republican and Democratic positions regarding the potential shutdown: " Shutdown in 24 hours. The contrast couldn’t be clearer: Republicans: Keep govt OPEN. Pay our troops. Protect seniors & families. Democrats: Force a SHUTDOWN. Unfund WIC. Leave troops unpaid. America deserves stability — not the Left’s political grandstanding."

Shortly thereafter, Alford called for an end to what he described as political posturing by Democrats, stating at 20:52 UTC: "Democrats, enough grandstanding. Keep America Open."

Alford's remarks come amid heightened tensions in Congress over budget negotiations as lawmakers face a deadline to avert a federal government shutdown. In recent years, similar impasses have led to lapses in government funding and interruptions of federal services.

Alford has represented Missouri’s 4th District since replacing Vicky Hartzler in 2023 and is one of several House Republicans urging continued government operations through what he describes as a "clean extension." Born in Baytown, Texas in 1963 and currently residing in Lake Winnebago, Alford holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin (graduated in 1988).