Columbia News

Rep. Mark Alford, a U.S. Congressman representing Missouri’s 4th district since 2023, posted a series of statements on September 29, 2025, criticizing Democratic leaders over federal spending and the potential for a government shutdown.

In a post at 14:09 UTC, Alford wrote: "Democrats want to pile $1.5 TRILLION in new spending on the backs of hardworking Americans. They have no vision, no message, no leader. At 3PM ET, it’s Schumer & Jeffries vs. Speaker Johnson, Sen. Thune, JD Vance & PRESIDENT TRUMP. I know which team I’d bet on. "

Later that day at 16:32 UTC, he addressed the status of appropriations bills in Congress: "We did our job. @HouseGOP passed a clean CR and @HouseAppropsGOP has passed all 12 appropriations bills. Now, Schumer’s blocking progress. If there’s a shutdown, make no mistake — it will be a Schumer Shutdown!"

At 18:11 UTC, Alford commented on the impact of the potential shutdown on families: "Democrats say they “stand with families.” Then why are MILLIONS of mothers & children about to lose WIC next week because of the Left’s government shutdown? @HouseGOP passed funding. Dems are walking away from America’s most vulnerable."

Alford's remarks come amid ongoing negotiations in Congress over government funding and efforts to avert a federal shutdown. He attributes responsibility for any potential closure to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic leaders.

Alford succeeded Vicky Hartzler as representative for Missouri's 4th district in 2023. Born in Baytown, Texas in 1963 and currently residing in Lake Winnebago, Alford graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988 with a BA.