Behind the Locked Doors of Congress: A Shutdown No One Wants to End
Speaker Mike Johnson: “Democrats Playing Games as Shutdown Drags Into Fourth Week”
As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is urging Senate Democrats to end what he calls “partisan games” and pass a clean short-term funding bill that would reopen the government within 48 hours.
Speaking on Fox Business this week, Johnson criticized Senate Democrats for repeatedly blocking the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) — a measure designed to fund the government temporarily while lawmakers negotiate a full-year budget deal.
“This shutdown is unnecessary, it’s painful for real Americans, and it’s entirely avoidable,” Johnson said. “The House already did its job. We passed a clean, straightforward bill to keep the lights on. All the Senate has to do is vote yes.”
The Blocked GOP Bill
The Republican-led House passed the CR over a month ago. The 24-page measure, Johnson noted, contains no policy riders or partisan provisions — just a simple extension of government funding until November 21.
But Senate Democrats have rejected the proposal repeatedly. On Monday, the chamber voted 50–43 to table the bill — the 11th time Democrats have blocked it. Two senators, Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Angus King (I-ME), broke with their caucus to support the measure. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) abstained.
According to Johnson, the repeated rejections are purely political. “This is the first time in American history that one party has decided to shut the government down over a clean continuing resolution,” he said. “It makes no sense. The only explanation is politics.”
“A Dirty CR” and Claims of Wasteful Spending
Johnson accused Senate Democrats of pushing a counterproposal loaded with what he called “wasteful and ideological spending.”
“Their version isn’t a clean bill — it’s a dirty one,” Johnson said. “They want to add more than a trillion dollars in new spending, including $200 billion for healthcare benefits for people who came here illegally and hundreds of millions to prop up liberal media organizations through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.”
He added that Democrats also sought billions for “overseas pet projects that have nothing to do with the needs of the American people.”
The Louisiana Republican argued that the Democratic proposal reflects misplaced priorities. “Republicans are focused on defending the interests of working Americans,” Johnson said. “Democrats are focused on appeasing their far-left base.”
Fear of the “Far-Left Flank”
Johnson pointed fingers at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), claiming both are bowing to political pressure from progressive activists.
“Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are afraid of their far-left flank,” Johnson asserted. “They’re terrified of primary challenges from Marxist-leaning candidates in New York. So instead of doing what’s right for the country, they’re playing games to protect their own political futures.”
He accused the Democratic leadership of prolonging the shutdown to avoid backlash from progressive voters, even as federal workers and families dependent on government programs bear the cost.
“Nothing Left to Negotiate”
During the interview, Fox Business host Cheryl Casone pressed Johnson on whether Republicans were open to negotiation to end the standoff. The Speaker responded that there was nothing left to discuss.
“I keep getting asked, ‘Why aren’t you negotiating?’” Johnson said. “But there’s literally nothing to negotiate. We already passed a clean bill — the same kind of measure Democrats themselves supported earlier this year. There’s nothing partisan about it.”
He pointed out that Sen. Schumer voted for a nearly identical continuing resolution in March, even giving a speech warning of the “irresponsibility” of a shutdown.
“The only thing that’s changed between March and now,” Johnson said, “is that Schumer’s political calculus has shifted. He’s afraid of the rise of Marxism in his own state and worried about losing his seat.”
The Human Cost of the Stalemate
The ongoing shutdown has left thousands of federal employees without pay and disrupted critical government programs. Families who depend on food assistance, housing support, and small business loans are feeling the strain.
“Real Americans are hurting,” Johnson said. “It’s incredibly frustrating because this didn’t have to happen. We could end it in 48 hours if Democrats would just stop playing politics.”
Despite the mounting public pressure, both sides appear entrenched. Democrats continue to demand additional funding for social programs and foreign aid, while Republicans insist on maintaining fiscal discipline and addressing border security before any long-term deal.
A Standoff With No Clear End
Johnson emphasized that the House is ready to return to work as soon as the Senate acts. “We’re prepared to be back in session within 48 hours,” he said. “Once the short-term funding is approved, we can immediately move on to finishing the larger appropriations bills before year’s end.”
He also reiterated his commitment to “restoring order and accountability” in the federal budget process, promising that the GOP would continue to “fight for the taxpayers who fund this government.”
For now, however, the stalemate continues — with no immediate sign of compromise in sight.
“The American people deserve better than this,” Johnson concluded. “We’re ready to govern. The question is whether Democrats are ready to stop the games.”