Nevada Governor Calls on Congress, Senator Rosen to End Government Shutdown

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) has called on Congress and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) to end the ongoing federal government shutdown. Lombardo sent a letter to Rosen asking her to join Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) in bipartisan support to vote for the continuing resolution. Last week, the Office of the Governor briefed Nevada’s federal delegation on the ongoing and potential impacts of the shutdown.

“Nevadans across the state are suffering from the federal shutdown,” said Governor Lombardo. “My administration is working to fill funding gaps and mitigate the impact wherever possible, but with paychecks paused and benefits in jeopardy, it’s well past time for Democratic leadership in Congress to work with Republicans and the President to reopen the government.”

According to the Governor’s press release, Nevada is home to approximately 495,000 individuals who receive SNAP benefits, alongside an estimated 42 million people across the United States. Approximately $90 million a month in SNAP benefits are issued to Nevadans and are fully funded by the federal government.

The governor additionally provides a “fact sheet” for SNAP and Nevada’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) enrollees and warns that if the shutdown extends beyond October, the $90 million a month would cease to provide SNAP for 495,000 enrolled individuals. The 55,000 participants of the WIC program will not be impacted during the shutdown, through December 23, due to $7.3 million request in emergency funding that was approved by the Nevada Board of Examiners and the Interim Finance Committee on October 16.

“This request was a proactive step to prevent a disruption in services for families during the federal shutdown and underscores Nevada’s commitment to public health,” the fact sheet reads.

In the letter (see below) to Senator Rosen, Governor Lombardo warns:

“It’s critical that we come together-regardless of party- to keep our government open and serving the public. I have been encouraged to see bipartisan support in the Senate to end the shutdown, including from Senator Cortez Masto. I hope you’ll consider the growing impacts of the shutdown on Nevadans and work with your colleagues to reopen the federal government.”

Senator Rosen responded, “I want this government shutdown to end, which is why I urge Governor Lombardo to push Donald Trump and his own party in Washington to work in a bipartisan way to reopen the government and prevent a massive spike in health care costs for Nevadans.”

Nevada is also home to 22,000 federal workers who are not being paid during the shutdown, unlike Senators Rosen and Masto, and their congressional colleagues. The Nevada GOP is now calling on Rosen and Masto to give up their paycheck “”in solidarity with federal workers.

22,000 federal workers in Nevada are missing their paychecks because of the Schumer Shutdown.

Will you be giving yours up in solidarity @SenCortezMasto and @SenJackyRosen?

Shutting down the government to give healthcare to illegals is not what Nevada voted for. https://t.co/faUAbFPxRi

— Nevada GOP (@NVGOP) October 23, 2025

The government shutdown has entered its third week as seven Senate Democrats refuse to cross party lines to extend the continuing resolution. The shutdown is, to date, the second-longest shutdown in U.S. history.

The most significant government shutdowns include the 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019 during the first Trump administration, as Democrats fought against funding an extension of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. In 1995-1996 during the Clinton administration, a 21-day shutdown was caused by Democratic opposition to spending cuts, and a 16-day shutdown in 2013 during the Obama administration occurred due to a dispute over the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.