America is now in its fifth week of a federal government shutdown, and the effects are hitting home across Central Florida.

Democrats like Katherine Clark argue, “There will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.” But let’s look at what that leverage means for Florida’s families and farmers.

Across Florida’s Heartland, producers sustain the nation’s food supply through citrus, strawberries and other key commodities that rely on seasonal agricultural workers. The shutdown has disrupted the H-2A visa process, delaying approvals and leaving many operations short-handed during the busiest stretch of the season. Each day of delay keeps crops in the field and drains revenue from rural communities that depend on agriculture.

Local producers report growing uncertainty as labor contracts go unprocessed and windows close. When growers can’t hire in time, they lose income they will never recover. Those losses ripple through transportation and supply chains that keep Central Florida’s farm economy moving. Agriculture and related industries generate more than $180 billion for Florida’s economy and support over 2.5 million jobs, so disruptions impact more than just farmers.

But this shutdown reaches far beyond the farm gate. Small businesses can’t access new Small Business Administration loans, cutting off capital for equipment, payroll and growth. Roughly 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, and WIC supports mothers and young children, meaning families in our communities are left to worry whether they can put food on the table as this stalemate continues.

Rural hospitals across the country also depend on more than $50 billion in federal support tied to current funding, placing added pressure on facilities that care for seniors, veterans and families in smaller communities.

Another concern is expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program. In a shutdown, new and renewal policies can’t be issued. Homebuyers cannot close on properties that require flood insurance, stalling real estate transactions across the region. With the shutdown reaching the 30-day mark, existing policyholders can no longer transfer coverage to new buyers. Florida currently has about 1.7 million flood insurance policies in force, more than any other state, underscoring how essential this program is when new policies are suspended.

The cost of the “leverage” Democrats are demanding continues to mount. The Congressional Budget Office reports the shutdown will cost our economy up to $14 billion. Each day of inaction compounds that damage, leaving families, federal workers and small businesses to carry the burden of those refusing to act.

Weeks ago, the House voted to keep the government open through Nov. 21 to allow time for full year funding negotiations. Our plan extended flood insurance and nutrition programs while keeping spending stable. Senate Democrats blocked it, turning a practical solution into a needless round of brinkmanship that serves no one.

On Oct. 27, the American Federation of Government Employees representing more than 800,000 federal workers called on Senate Democrats to pass the clean, short-term spending bill. They argued the shutdown is an “avoidable crisis” harming American families and workers across the nation.

The longer this shutdown continues, the more families, farms and local businesses will feel the pain. These are livelihoods, not bargaining chips as leverage for political gain. It’s time for Democrats to put the well-being of Florida families and all Americans ahead of partisanship and reopen the government.

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin represents Florida’s 18th Congressional District and serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Democrat shutdown hurts Florida families and farmers | Commentary