❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) claims that federal workers support Democrats’ shutdown strategy despite the financial difficulties caused by the funding lapse.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Chris Van Hollen, federal workers, and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

📍WHEN & WHERE: November 4, 2025; Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I think they all would like to see the shutdown end, but they also don’t like giving Donald Trump a blank check.” – Sen. Chris Van Hollen

🎯IMPACT: Over 700,000 federal employees are furloughed or working without pay, with many turning to food banks and second jobs.

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) has claimed that federal workers support the Democratic Party’s stance on the ongoing government shutdown, even as it creates financial uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of government employees. The Maryland Democrat, during a recent interview, asserted that workers prefer Democrats to maintain the shutdown until their demands are met.

Van Hollen suggested that federal employees prioritize opposing President Donald J. Trump’s agenda over receiving their paychecks on time. “I think they all would like to see the shutdown end, but they also don’t like giving Donald Trump a blank check,” he said. Despite acknowledging a “mix of views” among workers, Van Hollen claimed, “I haven’t seen their support eroding.”

The comments come as the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a union representing over 800,000 federal workers, urged Democrats to pass a Republican-backed continuing resolution (CR) to end the funding lapse. AFGE president Everett Kelley warned that workers were “hurting” during the shutdown, but Democratic leaders have not shifted their position.

It is estimated that over 700,000 government employees have been furloughed or are working without pay. The lack of payment has resulted in call-offs among air traffic controllers, crippling several major U.S. airports for periods of time over the last week. Unfortunately, many are turning to food banks and second jobs to make ends meet. Despite this, Democrats have resisted Republican calls to end the shutdown without attaching partisan policy measures to the funding resolution.

The remarks from Sen. Van Hollen are being criticized by some on Capitol Hill as tone deaf, while others see his argument as an attempt to paper over criticism of the Democrats’ government shutdown and justify their continued insubordination.

Previously, Van Hollen was best known for flying to El Salvador to show support to alleged MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, and sexual predator Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

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