On the ninth day of the federal government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivered a fiery address on Thursday, placing the blame squarely on Democrats for the ongoing impasse and drawing a stark “split screen” contrast between the domestic deadlock and what he called President Donald Trump’s “historic foreign policy achievement” in brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Speaker Johnson framed the political climate as a dichotomy of responsibility versus “political theater.”
“Welcome to day nine of the Democrat shutdown,” Johnson began, asserting that while Republicans are “working around the clock” to govern, Democrats are “playing games with the lives and livelihoods of the people we represent.”
A ‘Stunning Contrast’: Foreign Peace vs. Domestic Chaos
The core of Johnson’s argument was the juxtaposition of a newly announced Middle East peace agreement with the shuttered government in Washington.
“This morning, Americans are watching a remarkable split screen, two things happening simultaneously,” the Speaker stated. On one side, he lauded President Trump and Republicans for “delivering for the American people,” citing tax cuts, border security, reduced government waste, and, most notably, the Israel-Hamas deal.
Johnson hailed the agreement as “a truly historic foreign policy achievement,” claiming it would bring the remaining hostages home, restore security to Israel, and “lay the foundation for a lasting peace in the Middle East.” The deal, which President Trump announced on Wednesday, involves the first phase of a peace plan intended to pause fighting and secure the release of hostages and prisoners.
“This is a goal and an objective that’s been stated by presidents and politicians and policy makers and people around the globe for Generations,” Johnson added, praising the President’s “vision and the resolve” to achieve it.
On the other side of his “split screen,” Johnson painted a picture of Democratic obstruction. He criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for allegedly “bragging” about the shutdown’s political benefits, referencing a quote where Schumer said, “Every day of the shutdown gets better for us.” RELATED: “Every Day Gets Better For Us”: Chuck Schumer Confident In His Shutdown Strategy
“Every day gets better for us? What the heck is he talking about?” Johnson retorted. “It doesn’t get better for the country right now.”
Shutdown Pain for Military and Veterans
The Speaker focused on the personal impact of the shutdown, particularly on essential personnel. He highlighted that military service members, Border Patrol agents, TSA officers, and air traffic controllers are “all working without pay.”
He shared the story of a “young military mother” with two special needs children who called into a C-SPAN program, upset that their services were being delayed. Johnson, whose Louisiana district includes Fort Polk and Barksdale Air Force Base, emphasized that many service members “live paycheck to paycheck.”
Johnson maintained that the House “did its job” almost three weeks ago by passing a “clean continuing resolution” to keep the government funded. He asserted, “Every Republican… voted to keep the government open,” while House Democrats, “all but one, voted to close the government and, by extension, stop paying troops, stop paying TSA agents… and all the rest.”
Senate Democrats Remain ‘Bullish’
The Speaker’s forceful comments come as Senate Democrats, according to reports, remain unified and resolute in their strategy. Senate Minority Leader Schumer has been described as “bullish,” asserting that the political momentum is swinging his way because they “knew that health care would be the focal point” and prepared for the battle.
Democrats have repeatedly voted against the House-passed temporary spending bill, demanding subsidies as the key condition to reopen the government.
Johnson slammed the Democratic efforts as “political stunts,” citing one where Democratic senators were seen “wandering the capital… pretending to look for their colleagues.”
“Stop the political stunts, the madness… and pass the clean CR and end the shutdown,” Johnson concluded, demanding that five Democrats “wake up and come their senses and do the right thing for the American people.” The stalemate continues to inflict financial and operational disruption on the federal workforce and essential services across the nation.
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