House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday blamed Senate Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown, criticizing their rejection of a short-term Republican spending bill.
In an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Johnson said the House had approved a bipartisan continuing resolution to keep the government funded for seven weeks, but accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of blocking the measure for political purposes.
“Real people are being adversely affected around the country in very substantial ways,” Johnson said. “I pray that more Democrats in the Senate will come to their senses and do the right thing.”
Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, rejected Democrats’ efforts to link the shutdown to the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, calling the issue a “red herring.” He said the matter could be debated at a later time, arguing that the current subsidies are plagued by “fraud, waste, and abuse” and should be reformed before any extension is considered, Newsmax reported.
“There’s probably 400 different ideas on how to fix that, so we need a little time to do it,” Johnson said. “We’re not saying we won’t negotiate it. We’re saying turn the lights back on in Congress.”
Johnson warned that the shutdown has already disrupted key federal programs, including health services for veterans and seniors, FEMA’s flood insurance program during hurricane season, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program.
“Get troops paid, TSA agents and Border Patrol agents paid who are trying to protect us,” Johnson said.
When pressed by moderator Margaret Brennan on whether he supports extending the health care tax credits, Johnson declined to give a direct answer, saying his focus is on building consensus to reopen the government.
“I haven’t staked out any position on it yet, because that’s not how this process works,” he said. “What I have to do is draw consensus among 435 members of my body.”
The speaker, appearing later on NBC’s Meet the Press, also discussed the Trump administration’s plan to lay off thousands of federal employees during the shutdown — a step host Kristen Welker noted would be unprecedented.
“We haven’t seen the details yet about what’s happening,” Johnson said. “But it is a regrettable situation that the president does not want.”
Johnson said Democrats would be responsible for the layoffs, arguing that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both from New York, are refusing to support the Republican-backed spending proposal.
“No, I don’t want federal workers laid off,” said Johnson.. “I want Chuck Schumer to do the right thing … and vote to keep the government open.”
WATCH:
The White House confirmed last week that the Office of Management and Budget is reviewing potential layoffs, describing them as an “unfortunate consequence” of the ongoing government shutdown.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the layoffs could affect “thousands” of federal employees. President Donald Trump met Thursday with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, calling the shutdown an “unprecedented opportunity” to evaluate potential spending cuts and staffing levels across federal agencies, Newsmax added.
Meanwhile, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing” that Schumer was responsible for the current situation, which is dramatically impacting the military.
“We’re dealing with a Chuck Schumer special right now,” Hegseth said.
“This is the vanity of one man who doesn’t want to look weak to his base, so he’s trying to look tough, throw $1.5 trillion on top of what is otherwise a clean bill to fund the government, to move along on a regular order,” he said.
“We’re going to fight through it,” he continued. “But it’s unfortunate that the Democrats are pushing politics into something when all we want to do is defend the nation, and we’re going to keep doing it.”
“Of course [the shutdown impacts readiness]. You’ve got to pay for the stuff you’re doing,” he added.