Missoula Activists Plan ‘Die-In’ as Democrats Block 13th Reopening Vote

MISSOULA — Two prominent Missoula activist organizations are planning a “Die-In” demonstration at the county courthouse Tuesday to protest the ongoing federal government shutdown, despite 13 Republican attempts to reopen the government, most recently on Tuesday when Democrats again blocked funding in a 54-45 vote.

Missoula Resists and Indivisible Missoula announced the noon protest in a media advisory Friday, calling it a demonstration against “GOP-led government shutdown and devastating cuts to essential programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).”

The groups plan to have participants hold tombstones and lie down “in symbolic protest, representing the lives put at risk by the loss of vital food and healthcare benefits,” according to the advisory.

Activists Frame Shutdown as Republican-Led

“This isn’t a budget fight — it’s a war on working people,” said Danica Nelson, one of the organizers with Indivisible Missoula. “While Washington plays politics, Montanans will go hungry.”

The media advisory characterizes the shutdown as “GOP-led” and claims Republicans are pushing “devastating cuts” to federal programs, framing that contradicts the congressional voting record on continuing resolutions to fund the government.

Missoula Resists describes itself as “a volunteer-led group that has connected more than 3,000 people and organizations across western Montana” focused on community organizing. Indivisible Missoula identifies as “a grassroots organization driven by a vision of a real democracy of, by, and for the people.”

Republican Response: “Schumer Shutdown”

Montana’s Republican delegation has consistently labeled the shutdown the responsibility of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, who have blocked more than a dozen attempts to pass continuing resolutions.

“Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have voted 13 times (and we’re still counting) to keep the government closed, despite fully knowing that 42 million Americans (including more than 77,000 Montanans) rely on SNAP to put food on the table for their families,” said Gabby Wiggins, press secretary for Senator Steve Daines.

“Every single one of those votes would fully fund SNAP. Every single Republican Senator voted yes,” Wiggins added.

The basic math of Senate procedure supports the Republican position: with 53 Republican senators and 60 votes needed to pass a continuing resolution, Democrats must join Republicans to reopen the government.

“All the claims that this is a ‘Republican shutdown’ are blatant lies and it is a disservice to Montanans to report it as such,” Wiggins stated. “Let’s be clear: this is a Schumer Shutdown.”

Montana GOP: Democrats “Holding Taxpayer Funds Hostage”

Montana Republican Party Chairman Art Wittich responded forcefully to Democratic characterizations of the shutdown.

“Republicans in Congress have repeatedly — more than a dozen times now — given Democrats a chance to reopen the government. Instead of paying troops and letting federal employees get back to work, Democrats are holding American taxpayer funds hostage for more spending on illegal immigrants and their leftist agenda,” Wittich said.

Regarding Democratic pressure on Governor Greg Gianforte to use state funds for federal SNAP payments, Wittich said Montana taxpayers should not foot the bill for what he called “Democrats’ political games in Washington.”

“Our state government should not bail out congressional Democrats — it would only embolden their hostage-taking tactics,” Wittich added.

Federal Funding Impact

The shutdown will cut off SNAP benefits for approximately 77,000 Montanans starting November 1st. The Blackfeet Nation declared a state of emergency Tuesday morning due to the loss of SNAP benefits for tribal members.

Montana typically receives about $14 million monthly in federal SNAP funding. Democratic activists have pressured Governor Gianforte to use the state’s $268 million Debt and Liability Free Account to cover the federal payments, though without guarantees of federal reimbursement.

Republicans argue such moves would set a dangerous precedent of states covering federal programs during political disputes while facing potential total loss of the funds if the shutdown continues for multiple months.

Political Theater Continues

The Missoula demonstration represents the latest attempt by Democratic-aligned groups to pressure Republicans over the shutdown, despite the Republican delegation’s consistent votes to fund the government.

The activist pressure campaign mirrors tactics used earlier this week when the Montana Food Bank Network joined Democratic groups in pressuring Governor Gianforte to use state taxpayer funds for federal SNAP payments. The food bank network’s letter included signatures from the same activist organizations planning Tuesday’s protest, raising questions about the politicization of traditionally nonpartisan humanitarian services.

“On one hand, Democrats brag about keeping the government shut down for policy concessions, and on the other, they deny responsibility for the shutdown entirely,” Wittich said. “There’s only one party that has voted against reopening the government more than a dozen times, and it’s not the Republicans.”

The protest is scheduled for 12 p.m. Tuesday at the Missoula County Courthouse, 200 W Broadway St.

Wiggins noted that even the American Federation of Government Employees, traditionally a Democratic ally, has called on Schumer to end the shutdown, highlighting the political isolation of Senate Democrats’ position.

“If Democrats want to help families on SNAP, they should end this shutdown,” Wiggins concluded.