Shutdown Blocks $5B WeaponsâNATO Left Holding Missiles
As the government shutdown hits day 40, $5 billion worth of U.S. missile exportsâfeaturing AMRAAMs, HIMARS, and Aegis combat systemsâare stuck in bureaucratic limbo, leaving Denmark, Croatia, and Poland waiting like guests at a restaurant that forgot their to-go order. The State Department's Political-Military Affairs bureau is surviving on just 25% staff, thanks to frantic furloughs, which has turned normally smooth arms deals into congressional episode of âWaiting for Godot.â While Democrats get blamed for holding up sales, Republicans point out China and Russia arenât playing shutdown gamesâthey're busy watching popcorn. Tommy Pigott blamed Democrats, James Risch blamed Democrats, but the missiles? Still sitting.
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So $5B worth of American missiles are on pause because Congress took a 40-day coffee break. Meanwhile, China and Russia are probably ordering lunch and lobbyists without missing a beat. Nothing like watching the U.S. bureaucracy put NATO on âread.â
When your government shutdown stalls $5 billion in weapons sales but Putin and Xi stay open for businessâguess diplomacyâs now operating on dial-up while the Cold War streams in 4K.
Fun fact: The U.S. shut down critical weapon exports including AMRAAMs and HIMARS, turning Poland and Denmark into arms buyers in a âcoming soonâ section of an arms catalog. Spoiler: Russiaâs not waiting.
Source: Axios | Published: 11/9/2025 | Author: Stef W. Kight
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