House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of prolonging the now-34-day government shutdown, arguing that “extremism on the left” is responsible for what he called unnecessary hardship for millions of citizens across the U.S.
“They care more about their own political future than they care about SNAP benefits flowing to hungry families, about air traffic controllers being paid so they can keep the skies safe, border patrol, troops, and all the rest,” Johnson said. “It is extremism on the left that is the direct cause of American suffering right now.”
Johnson reiterated Republican claims that Senate Democrats are refusing to consider the House-passed funding bill due to pressure from progressive lawmakers. He said Democrats “fear that personally for their own political future.”
The shutdown, which has halted non-essential federal operations, began after Senate Democrats blocked a short-term funding extension passed by the House earlier this month. Democrats have pushed for provisions including permanent tax-credit extensions for Affordable Care Act enrollees and reversal of Medicaid cuts.
The White House has said Republicans’ refusal to negotiate those terms forced a lapse in funding. Republicans counter that the hold-up is partisan and unnecessary.
The standoff has triggered ripple effects across federal agencies. Johnson said on Monday that issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments is complicated due to a shortfall in contingency funds. The program requires roughly $9 billion monthly, he said, while only $5.2 billion remains available. Even if agencies process partial payments, “everybody needs to know, it’s not the full amount,” Johnson said.
The Speaker also addressed President Trump’s recent call to abolish the Senate filibuster. Johnson said he opposed eliminating the rule, calling it a “safeguard” against “the Democrats’ worst impulses.” He said he had shared his views with Trump, describing their conversations as “frank and honest.”
Johnson’s remarks follow a series of recent statements from Trump administration officials casting Democrats as ideologically extreme. Days before the shutdown, the Department of Housing and Urban Development posted a banner on its website blaming the “Radical Left.” The nonprofit Public Citizen filed a complaint alleging the message violated the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from using government resources for partisan advocacy.
Originally published on Latin Times
