Rep. Gabe Evans Defers Pay as Shutdown Looms, Calls on Senate to Pass House Funding Measure

September 30, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON —With a government shutdown fast approaching, Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08) today formally requested that his pay be withheld until full government funding is restored.

“If Senate Democrats force our troops to work without pay, Congress should be held to the same standard,” said Rep. Gabe Evans. “I’m calling on my colleagues in the Senate to pass the House’s continuing resolution instead of holding our government hostage over a wishlist of radical spending demands.”

On September 19, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through November 21, 2025. The measure included full funding for the military, veterans, and key government services. Passing the CR would keep the government open and allow Congress to continue advancing full-year appropriations bills through regular order. However, Senate Democrats blocked this effort in a show of political grandstanding, with all but one voting against it.

In his letter to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House, Catherine Szpindor, Rep. Evans wrote:

“I’ve been a cop and solider the majority of my adult life. Like other working-class families, I rely on my paycheck to feed my kids and pay my mortgage. As a public servant, I will stand in solidarity with my military brothers and sisters and other federal employees who will be without a paycheck until Democrats agree to open the government.”

If Senate Democrats continue to reject the House-passed bill, the consequences for Colorado families will be severe:

  • Servicemembers and DoD civilians in Colorado will miss paychecks.

  • Staffing gaps at TSA and FAA could lead to delays and longer lines at Denver International Airport.

  • Coloradans who rely on nutrition assistance could face processing delays if the shutdown drags on.

  • The Small Business Administration would suspend new loans, impacting rural businesses and farmers mid-harvest.

  • While existing VA benefits would continue short-term, new claims and appeals for Colorado veterans would face significant slowdowns.

The full letter can be found here.