Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has cautioned that the current federal government shutdown could become the longest in American history. He stated that he is not willing to “negotiate” with Democrats at this time.
The federal government came to a halt at midnight on October 1, after neither Democratic nor Republican funding bills secured the necessary 60 votes in the Senate.
On October 13, Speaker Johnson addressed the press in Washington, D.C., expressing concerns about heading towards what might be one of the longest government shutdowns in the nation’s history.
Johnson, 53, emphasized that he would not enter negotiations with Democrats until they agree to halt their demands related to healthcare, specifically the Affordable Care Act subsidies, according to the Associated Press.
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history so far occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term, lasting 34 days.
This shutdown concluded when Trump agreed to a temporary measure to keep the government funded until February 15, 2019.
The Independent has noted that President Trump’s focus on Middle Eastern peace efforts has detracted from efforts to unite Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
In late September, Trump held a meeting with Democrats but failed to reach a consensus, extending the shutdown to its 14th day as of October 14, with no resolution in sight.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, 55, has accused Trump of obstructing Johnson and other Republicans from engaging in discussions to resolve the shutdown.
“Speaker Mike Johnson and I have not met because Donald Trump has not given them permission to meet,” Jeffries stated on MSNBC.
“We know that until Donald Trump gives them permission to meet, they’re going to continue to hide as it relates to sitting down and negotiating a bipartisan agreement.”
Johnson has countered by saying that Republicans are eager to resume genuine negotiations.
“But we won’t negotiate in smoke-filled back rooms, and we won’t negotiate as hostages,” he commented, according to The Hill.
In his latest press briefing, Johnson, originally from Louisiana, denied knowledge of the Trump administration initiating mass layoffs across seven federal agencies on October 10.
Vice President JD Vance indicated that these layoffs were necessary to maintain crucial federal assistance programs, such as the WIC nutrition assistance program, and ensure military pay, according to CNN Politics.
“We have to lay off some federal workers in the midst of this shutdown to preserve the essential benefits for the American people that the government does provide,” Vance stated on NBC’s Meet the Press, attributing the need for staff reductions to the Democrats.
Johnson expressed gratitude to the 47th President for ensuring military personnel remain compensated during the shutdown.
The Associated Press confirmed that the Coast Guard also continues to receive payments.