Watching this government shutdown has shown me that the Democratic Party is not offering solutions to the common American anymore. Their stance is purely to oppose the current administration. Keep in mind – you can have your disagreements with the Trump administration.

As an America First conservative, I have some. However, the minority party in Congress has taken their opposition to a whole new level.

While many may try to brandish this failure of Congress on the Republicans, this is simply not the case if you look at the facts. This government shutdown has fallen squarely on the shoulders of the Democratic Party, and the vast majority of its members, who have chosen petty politics over negotiating responsible funding for the rest of the year.

The Republicans wanted to pass a Continuing Resolution to keep the government open while they work on a more permanent solution to the spending problem that has plagued our government for the better part of the last two decades. The majority of Senate Democrats, who supported a similar CR in March of this year, did a complete heel-turn and decided to reject the offer Republicans put on the table. They argue that the healthcare protections Republicans removed in the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act will hurt American citizens at large. However, not only has this largely been untrue, but their claims are also false.

The only changes that were brought to healthcare removed illegal migrants from the healthcare systems. This prevents waste, fraud, and abuse by criminal migrants who are taking away public assistance from Americans who actually need it. The party seems more interested in protecting those who are not citizens to this country, than the actual citizens of this country.

I must strongly acknowledge the role of Congressman Nick Langworthy in standing up for Western New Yorkers. He has fought every day for the citizens of this country in an effort to get a balanced budget.

He understands the concerns of Western New Yorkers and is putting his best foot forward to provide economic relief to the American people, which is what we all voted for in last years’ election. His consistent community outreach, including hosting telephone town halls and attending community events across the 23rd Congressional District of New York demonstrate his connection to the Southern Tier at the highest level. He has shown through his actions in Congress that he is committed to making our lives more affordable, safer, and stable for future generations to come.

It is with that said, that I condemn the actions of the Democratic Party, who for the better part of the last eight months, have done nothing but obstruct the agenda of the Republicans in order to win points with their base (which they have completely failed to do, hence the rise of socialists like Zohran Mamdani). They sit at record low popularity amongst the American people and are not poised for a “blue wave” in the midterms because of their utterly floundering strategy to counter the right.

The Republicans have their issues, but they are at least trying to put something forward. The Democrats continue to waste time, cry about nonexistent issues, and endorse high-crime, high-tax, and high-risk policies that put illegal immigrants on a pedestal over the common American.

Kyler Huels, a St. Bonaventure University student, is a Dunkirk High School graduate.