Government Shutdown Threatens Record Length, Speaker Johnson Warns

GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that the ongoing government shutdown could become the longest in U.S. history unless Senate Democrats agree to pass a straightforward Republican spending bill without any additional conditions. The shutdown, now in its 13th day, continues as Democrats insist on negotiating certain healthcare provisions, while Republicans argue that discussions should only happen when the government is fully funded.

“We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history, unless Democrats drop their partisan demands and pass a clean, no-strings-attached budget to reopen the government and pay our federal workers,” Johnson stated.

The record for the longest federal government shutdown is 35 days, which occurred from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, primarily over a dispute regarding funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

“Republicans are eager to return to the actual negotiating table to finish out full-year appropriations and tackle other matters before us, but we won’t negotiate in smoke-filled back rooms, and we won’t negotiate as hostages,” he added.

Johnson further emphasized that nearly all House Republicans support his approach, citing what he believes is overwhelming agreement among party members. He mentioned the hard work House Republicans are doing in their districts to help constituents affected by what he termed the “Schumer shutdown,” which impacts veterans and the elderly relying on federal services. He criticized the Democrats, stating, “I don’t know what the Democrats are doing, but the House Republicans have been very busy.”

“The Covid-era Obamacare subsidy that they’re all talking about that’s supposedly the issue of the day doesn’t expire until the end of December. And by the way, it is the Democrats who created that subsidy,” Johnson explained. “They put an end date on it because they knew it was supposed to be related to Covid, and it’s become a boondoggle.”

On the legislative front, the Senate is poised to vote on another temporary spending bill soon, making it the eighth attempt to pass a continuing resolution as the deadlock nears its third week. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed doubts about the bill’s prospects, suggesting that “Leader Schumer’s checked out.”

“I don’t think this is going to happen. I think this is going to happen organically with enough reasonable Senate Democrats who care enough about doing the right thing for their country to help us find a solution,” Thune remarked.

Interestingly, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Schumer believes the longer the shutdown lasts, the better it is for his party, suggesting that the public will primarily blame Republicans as the midterms approach. He stated, “We Democrats want to end this shutdown as quickly as we can, but Donald Trump and Republicans need to negotiate with us seriously.”

This dynamic follows President Donald Trump’s decision to redirect Pentagon funds meant for research and development to ensure military personnel receive their pay, despite the ongoing shutdown. Reports suggest the Pentagon could redirect as much as $8 billion, according to sources from the White House Office of Management and Budget.