Columbia News

Rep. Mark Alford, who has represented Missouri’s 4th district in the U.S. Congress since 2023, addressed recent political and international issues in a series of tweets on November 5, 2025.

On that day, Alford commented on the ongoing government shutdown, attributing its duration to Democratic lawmakers. In his first tweet at 16:34 UTC, he wrote: "Longest shutdown in history. Brought to you by fear from the Left. Stop hurting hardworking Americans just to protect your pride. #SchumerShutdown".

Later that evening at 21:02 UTC, Alford continued to criticize Senate Democrats for their role in the shutdown: "The #SchumerShutdown has dragged into the history books. 36 days of fear-driven obstruction from Senate Democrats. While families struggle, the Left uses their pain as ‘leverage’. It’s time they remember who they serve: the American people, not their political egos…".

In a separate statement at 21:06 UTC, Alford turned his attention to international concerns regarding religious violence in Nigeria. He expressed support for actions taken by President Biden and pledged further engagement from House Republicans: "The ongoing brutal attacks against Christians in Nigeria should shake every American to the core. I strongly support @POTUS' action and will work with my House Republican colleagues to stay actively engaged and ensure targeted Christian communities receive real protection."

Alford’s comments come amid what is now considered the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted over a month due to disagreements between Congressional Republicans and Senate Democrats regarding budget allocations and policy provisions.

Representing Missouri's 4th District since replacing Vicky Hartzler in 2023, Alford brings experience rooted in both his upbringing—born in Baytown, Texas—and his education at the University of Texas at Austin (BA, 1988). Now residing in Lake Winnebago, he continues to weigh in on domestic legislative disputes as well as international human rights concerns.