Veterans Support: Pro-Veteran Rhetoric During Shutdown That Delayed Military Pay

Veterans Affairs Source: Public statements CONTRADICTION

Why This Matters for NY-23

The Bath VA Medical Center in Steuben County serves 33,000+ veterans across seven counties. During the 44-day shutdown, VA operations were strained, benefits processing was delayed, and active duty military families went without paychecks. When the congressman who voted to start that shutdown attends Veterans Day ceremonies and says “we must honor our commitment” to veterans, the disconnect between words and actions directly affects constituents who served.

Statement

Source: Public statements and social media, October-November 2025 Reported by: Multiple local news outlets

During the 44-day government shutdown, Rep. Langworthy consistently emphasized his support for veterans and military families:

“I will always stand with our veterans. They served our country with honor, and we must honor our commitment to them.”

On military families during the shutdown:

“Our service members shouldn’t be used as political pawns. They deserve better.”

He also promoted his votes for veterans legislation and appeared at Veterans Day events in the district while the shutdown continued.

Congressional Record

October-November 2025: Government Shutdown

  • Duration: 44 days (longest in U.S. history)
  • Langworthy’s role: Voted against funding bill, contributing to shutdown
  • Impact on veterans:
    • Active duty military went unpaid for weeks
    • VA operations strained with reduced staff
    • Veterans benefits processing severely delayed
    • Veterans hospitals faced funding uncertainty

September 2025: Initial Funding Vote

  • Langworthy vote: NO (on bill that included full military/VA funding)
  • Reason for NO vote: Bill included ACA subsidy extensions (see related fact-check)
  • Result: Shutdown began when deadline passed
  • Source: Congressional Record, WSKG Public Radio

During Shutdown: Veterans Day Appearances

  • Attended Veterans Day ceremony in Olean (Nov 11, 2025)
  • Posted social media thanking veterans for their service
  • Did not mention that his votes contributed to military families missing paychecks
  • Source: Olean Times Herald, social media posts

November 14, 2025: Finally Votes to Reopen

  • Langworthy vote: YES (after 44 days)
  • Terms: Only after securing concessions on other priorities
  • Source: WSKG Public Radio

Context

Impact on NY-23 Veterans

Military Families:

  • Fort Drum personnel affected (some NY-23 residents serve there)
  • National Guard members faced delayed pay
  • Veterans Day observed while service members went unpaid

VA Services in District:

  • Bath VA Medical Center: Reduced operations during shutdown
  • Vet Centers in Jamestown and Olean: Limited services
  • Benefits processing: Severe delays for disability claims

What Veterans Said

Olean Times Herald interviewed local veterans:

“He shows up on Veterans Day to shake our hands, but his vote kept the government shut down while active duty troops weren’t getting paid. That’s not supporting veterans.”

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 527 in Hornell:

“You can’t claim to support the military and then vote to shut down their paychecks.”

The Budget Cuts Context

The same “One Big Beautiful Bill” that cut rural hospital funding (see related fact-check) also included provisions that veterans groups warned could:

  • Reduce VA healthcare funding growth
  • Limit veterans benefits cost-of-living adjustments
  • Strain already-understaffed VA facilities

Langworthy voted YES on that bill despite these warnings.

The Pattern

  1. September: Votes against funding that includes full military/VA operations
  2. October-November: 44-day shutdown begins
    • Active duty troops unpaid
    • VA operations strained
  3. November 11: Attends Veterans Day events, thanks veterans for service
  4. November 14: Finally votes to reopen government after extracting concessions
  5. Throughout: Posts social media about supporting veterans while voting contributed to their hardship

Statements vs. Actions

StatementAction
“I will always stand with our veterans”Voted to shut down government, delaying military pay
“Service members shouldn’t be political pawns”Used shutdown as leverage for policy priorities
“We must honor our commitment to them”Voted for budget cuts veterans groups opposed
Attended Veterans Day events during shutdownActive duty members weren’t receiving paychecks

Sources

  • WSKG Public Radio: Natalie Abruzzo, coverage of shutdown votes and impacts (Oct-Nov 2025)
  • Olean Times Herald: Veterans Day coverage and veteran reactions (Nov 11, 2025)
  • Congressional Record: Voting record on funding bills (Sept-Nov 2025)
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): Statements on shutdown impact
  • Bath VA Medical Center: Public notices on reduced operations during shutdown
  • Social media: Langworthy’s public posts during shutdown period

Note: This entry documents publicly available information from official congressional records, news reports, and veterans organization statements. Readers may draw their own conclusions.

In Plain Language

Here’s the sequence:

  1. September 2025: Langworthy votes NO on a funding bill that included full military and VA funding
  2. October-November: The government shuts down for 44 days — the longest in U.S. history
  3. During shutdown: Active duty troops go unpaid, VA benefits are delayed, Bath VA operates with reduced staff
  4. November 11: Langworthy attends Veterans Day events, thanks veterans for their service
  5. November 14: He finally votes to reopen — after extracting policy concessions

“Service members shouldn’t be used as political pawns,” he said. But using a shutdown to gain policy leverage is exactly what using people as pawns looks like.

Last updated: December 21, 2025