Johnson Shutters House to Pressure Schumer Amid Month-Long Government Standoff

As the government shutdown continues, Speaker Mike Johnson is taking decisive actions in the House of Representatives to apply pressure on Senate Democrats and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. This standoff has now entered its second month, without any sign of resolution.

Johnson’s Strategy to Pressure Schumer

For the fourth consecutive week, Speaker Johnson has canceled votes in the House, a tactic aimed at urging Schumer to accept the Republican-led funding plan. Since the House approved the measure on September 19, Democrats have blocked the GOP’s federal funding initiatives a total of 12 times.

• Date of Last House Session: September 19, 2023
• Current Legislative Focus: Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY2025 spending levels until November 21, 2023
• Number of Weeks Without Votes: 4

Importance of a Continuing Resolution

The proposed continuing resolution aims to provide a temporary extension of federal funding while allowing congressional negotiators time to work on a long-term budget for fiscal year 2026. This approach is crucial as both parties struggle to reach a consensus before critical funding deadlines.

Democratic Response

Democrats have expressed dissatisfaction with the current funding discussions. They are particularly opposed to any spending bill that does not include an extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of this year. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has criticized Republicans for their prolonged absence from legislative duties.

Republican Unity and Defections

While many Republicans have rallied behind Johnson, notable defections have occurred. Representatives Kevin Kiley and Marjorie Taylor Greene have publicly criticized Johnson’s shutdown strategy. Kiley expressed his concern that the House was not fulfilling its responsibilities beyond addressing the shutdown.

• Critics of Johnson’s Strategy:
  • Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.)
  • Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)

There is internal discussion among House Republicans about the need to resume legislative sessions. Rep. Beth Van Duyne highlighted the risk of outdated messaging while remaining out of Washington.

Conclusion

As the government shutdown prolongs, Speaker Mike Johnson continues to leverage strategies that increase pressure on Senate Democrats. The upcoming weeks will be pivotal in determining the future of federal funding and the potential resolution of this ongoing standoff.