Washington, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, issued the following statement:

“As the partial government shutdown drags on, I want to address the profound impact it is having on millions of dedicated Federal employees across our nation. Right now, nearly 4 million people are continuing to report to work every day without the paychecks they have earned and deserve. This includes not only Federal law enforcement officers and Federal firefighters, but also essential workers in critical roles such as most members of the U.S. Armed Forces, medical staff at Veterans Affairs facilities, air traffic controllers, and Transportation Security Administration personnel. These individuals are the backbone of our public safety, national security, and daily operations, yet they are being forced to endure financial uncertainty while performing duties that cannot be paused because Congress cannot pay its bills.

“Our FOP members are not alone in this hardship—far from it. The shutdown's ripple effects touch families from coast to coast, straining household budgets, delaying mortgage payments, and creating unnecessary stress. The Fraternal Order of Police remains in daily contact with White House officials and Congressional staff to ensure they fully understand the real-world toll this partial shutdown is taking on our members and other Federal workers. We are advocating tirelessly for a swift resolution.

“It is worth remembering that in every previous government shutdown, affected employees have been fully reimbursed once normal operations were restored. However, in the current moment, it provides small comfort to those facing immediate challenges like covering bills, groceries, or childcare without their regular income.

“We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to ensure that the interests of our members are protected.”