News Summary
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces rising public dissatisfaction as the government shutdown extends into its third week. Johnson has been criticized for keeping the House in recess, attributing the blame to Senate Democrats while actively engaging in media confrontations. Polling shows that both parties share responsibility in the eyes of voters. Despite the shutdown’s impact, local backlash against Johnson remains limited, while negotiations seem stalled with no end in sight. Johnson’s hardline approach signals a shift in his leadership style during this challenging political climate.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Benton, is facing increasing public discontent as the government shutdown enters its third week. The shutdown, which has now lasted over two weeks, is anticipated to continue for at least another week or two as negotiations remain stalled. Johnson has been criticized for keeping the House in recess, refusing to reconvene until Senate Democrats agree to reopen the government.
During a recent C-SPAN call, Johnson faced tough questions from a military spouse who expressed frustration with the ongoing gridlock. Despite the public outcry, Johnson maintains that the House has fulfilled its responsibilities by passing a resolution aimed at keeping government operations running. He has attributed the failure to reopen the government to Senate Democrats, who he claims have rejected his proposed plan ten times.
Johnson’s public profile has surged amid the shutdown, marking a significant shift from his previous low-key leadership style. He has adopted a more combative approach, actively holding daily press conferences and making numerous television appearances. During these engagements, he has sought to peg the blame for the shutdown on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, whom he claims is under pressure from progressive members of his party.
In an attempt to illustrate the shutdown’s impact on everyday citizens, Johnson has described the situation as one in which “the lights are turned off,” asserting that the inaction of Democratic lawmakers is having real consequences on the lives of individuals. The situation has led to tense exchanges, including confrontations between Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego and Johnson over delayed swearing-in for a newly elected Democratic representative.
Johnson has assured that the delay in swearing in Adelita Grijalva, who recently won her seat, will be resolved once the House reconvenes. He has denied accusations that he is intentionally holding up her oath of office to block a critical vote on Jeffrey Epstein-related files, explaining that past delays in swearing in new members have not drawn significant media scrutiny.
Polling data indicates that blame for the shutdown is being shared relatively equally between Republicans and Democrats. A recent survey showed that 58% of voters hold Republicans accountable, while 54% see Democrats as culpable. Although Johnson’s constituents in Louisiana have not yet felt the immediate effects of the shutdown, local backlash against him remains minimal at this point.
The House will stay out of session indefinitely until Senate Democrats agree on a funding bill. Despite the ongoing impasse, congressional Republicans and the White House seem relatively confident, with little visible dissent among party members about the current strategy concerning the shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has signaled a willingness to negotiate the extension of healthcare subsidies connected to the Affordable Care Act, which Democrats want resolved prior to agreeing to funding measures.
Johnson has been vocal in his criticism of Democrats, particularly targeting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for what he calls a lack of negotiation willingness and their engagement in “publicity stunts” during a critical time. The administration is also addressing concerns regarding the shutdown’s implications for military pay and local economies, implementing temporary measures to ensure active-duty servicemembers continue to receive their compensation.
Johnson’s hardline stance regarding the House not reconvening until a Senate agreement is reached reflects a significant strategy that could redefine his role as Speaker. The political landscape remains intensely charged as accusations and counteraccusations abound between Republican and Democratic leaders regarding responsibility for the shutdown and its management.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Politico: Nearly three weeks in White House and GOP remain aligned on shutdown
- Wikipedia: Government shutdown
- The Hill: Johnson criticizes AOC, Democrats
- Google Search: government shutdown 2025
- Fox News: Johnson shutters House again in bid to keep shutdown heat on Schumer
- Google Scholar: shutdown impact
- Washington Post: Mike Johnson government shutdown 2025 strategy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: government shutdown
- CNN: Mike Johnson on government shutdown
- Google News: Mike Johnson shutdown
- CBS News: Government shutdown 2025 latest updates
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
