Columbia News

Rep. Mark Alford, who represents Missouri’s 4th district in the U.S. Congress, has taken to social media to criticize Democratic leadership and express concerns about ongoing government operations and funding priorities. In a series of posts on October 8, 2025, Alford addressed the current government shutdown and its impact on local communities and federal employees.

In a post from October 8, Alford wrote, “It’s day 8 of America held hostage. @HouseGOP is still working, so I stopped by Larry’s Clock Shop in Peculiar, Missouri. Like my friend Larry Boucher says, ‘the Democrats have a way of making everything that’s right, wrong.’ Spot on. It’s time for Chuck Schumer to quit.”

Later the same day, Alford questioned the priorities behind current budget negotiations, stating, “How did we get to the point of our Border Patrol heroes losing paychecks so that illegal aliens can get benefits? Wake up, America. Democrats made their choice, and they didn’t choose you. #SchumerShutdown”

Alford also highlighted concerns for rural healthcare funding, writing, “Our small-town hospitals depend on the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program: the largest ever investment in rural hospitals that’s now being put on the chopping block by Democrats who would rather shut down the government and play political games.”

Mark Alford has represented Missouri’s 4th district since 2023, succeeding Vicky Hartzler. Born in Baytown, Texas, in 1963, Alford resides in Lake Winnebago and holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin.