Columbia News

Rep. Mark Alford, a U.S. Congressman representing Missouri’s 4th district since 2023, has criticized Democratic leadership over the ongoing government shutdown in a series of posts on his official social media account.

On October 10, 2025, Alford wrote, "Obamacare has proven anything but affordable. And now, Democrats are using their own failed healthcare law as leverage to keep the government shut down. This Schumer Shutdown is hurting hardworking Americans, all so they can score political points. It’s time to open the https://t.co/oetBCGyy5v".

Later that day, he continued his criticism by stating, "It’s Day 10 of the Schumer Shutdown — and every American is paying the price. Veterans can’t get their benefits Our troops and first responders are working without pay Businesses are losing millions All because Democrats care more about illegal aliens than American https://t.co/SLxPu29yc6".

In another post on October 10, Alford said, "Chuck Schumer holds the key to reopen the government: to pay our troops, our federal workers, and keep America running. @HouseGOP did our job. We passed a clean, responsible funding bill with no gimmicks, no partisan riders. The only thing standing in the way now… is https://t.co/OwzhaH1m3S".

The remarks come amid a prolonged federal government shutdown attributed by House Republicans to Senate Democratic leadership. In these posts, Alford repeatedly referred to it as the "Schumer Shutdown," referencing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Alford's statements follow his tenure as representative for Missouri's 4th district since replacing Vicky Hartzler in 2023. He was born in Baytown, Texas in 1963 and currently resides in Lake Winnebago.

He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988 with a BA degree.