On Day 16 of the federal government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivered a blistering rebuke of congressional Democrats, accusing them of stalling negotiations for political gain while Americans suffer. Johnson called out Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), claiming they are prioritizing publicity stunts and partisan posturing over responsible governance.
At a Thursday press conference, Johnson said House Republicans are doing the hard work of helping Americans through the shutdown’s consequences while Democrats are hosting photo shoots, TikTok videos, and even toasting themselves from Capitol balconies.
“We’re helping small business owners, farmers, and emergency coordinators navigate frozen loans and delayed funds,” Johnson said. “Meanwhile, Democrats are holding town halls and berating police officers who protect them without pay.”
Johnson specifically blasted Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez for their CNN town hall appearance Wednesday night, in which both rejected a Republican offer to extend health care subsidies for a year to reopen the government. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) confirmed that the proposal was legitimate, telling MSNBC, “At some point, Democrats have to take ‘yes’ for an answer.”
But Ocasio-Cortez dismissed the offer, saying, “I don’t accept IOUs. I don’t accept pinky promises.” Sanders responded sarcastically when asked if a pledge from President Trump would suffice, saying, “Oh yeah, no doubt, because the president is a very honest man.”
“CNN hosted the first socialist town hall, where Bernie Sanders and AOC said the quiet parts out loud,” Johnson said. “They don’t know what they want to end the shutdown. They couldn’t offer a single viable solution.”
He also took aim at Schumer for openly celebrating the political optics of the shutdown. Schumer previously told Punchbowl News, “Every day gets better for us… We knew that health care would be the focal point on Sept. 30, and we prepared for it.”
“All this would be laughable if it didn’t come at the cost of American families,” Johnson said. “And it really is deadly serious. If it were up to Republicans alone, we would not be in this mess.”
