Home Speaker Mike Johnson blamed Democrats Monday for the federal government funding stalemate, deriding what he known as “pricey political video games which can be being performed by Democrats right here in Congress.”
“We’re now on Day 13 of the Democrats’ Schumer shutdown,” Johnson mentioned at a information convention, mentioning the Senate Democratic minority chief. “This marks the third week that Democrats have blocked paychecks to our troops, they’ve blocked pay for two.2 million federal staff they usually’ve held vital providers that the American folks depend upon in limbo.”
The Louisiana Republican added, “At the very least, they tried to dam these checks” to the army, however “President Trump, once more exhibiting robust management, has stepped up to make sure that our troops are going to be paid on Oct. 15, whereas we await Democrats to cease holding the nation hostage.”
Johnson mentioned he and the president spoke “at size” earlier than Mr. Trump left for the Center East.
“He and I are each so annoyed that Democrats are completely joyful to do all this injury whereas they play political stunts,” Johnson mentioned.
“We will hardly imagine that they are prepared to go together with this,” Johnson mentioned.
The speaker mentioned “the shutdown didn’t need to occur” and blasted Democrats for “taking part in a political sport.”
“Democrats at present don’t have any chief, no imaginative and prescient, no path,” Johnson mentioned.
Johnson reiterated that the Home has executed its job by passing a measure to fund the federal government till Nov. 21, and he urged 5 extra Democrats within the Senate to again the measure in order that it will probably attain the 60-vote threshold for passage.
“We’re barreling towards one of many longest shutdowns in American historical past, until Democrats drop their partisan calls for and move a clear, no-strings-attached price range to reopen the federal government and pay our federal staff,” Johnson mentioned.
Johnson, who canceled votes within the decrease chamber once more this week, mentioned the Home “will return to legislative session as quickly because the Democrats come to their senses and open the federal government.”
“We’re on Day 13,” he mentioned. “This could finish tomorrow.”
