As the federal government shutdown entered its fourth week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) leveled sharp criticism at top Democratic leaders, accusing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) of stalling negotiations out of fear of backlash from their own party’s far-left base.
Appearing on Fox Business, Johnson said House Republicans are ready to reopen the government “within 48 hours” if Democrats agree to pass the GOP’s short-term funding bill — one that he described as “clean, simple, and responsible.”
“We’ve done our job,” Johnson said. “The House passed a continuing resolution weeks ago — a 24-page bill that simply keeps the lights on while we finish the appropriations process. Democrats have blocked it 11 times. They’re not negotiating in good faith because they’re afraid of being called sellouts by the Marxist wing of their own party.”
Shutdown Hits Fourth Week as Democrats Block GOP Proposal
The standoff in Washington has now stretched into a full month, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees unpaid and disrupting key public services.
On Monday, Senate Democrats once again voted to block a Republican-sponsored stopgap funding package that would have extended government funding through November 21. The final vote was 50-43, with just two Democrats — Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Independent Sen. Angus King (I-ME) — breaking ranks to support the measure.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) did not vote.
The House’s version of the bill, which passed last month, avoided controversial policy riders and major spending increases. Republicans argue it would allow both chambers to focus on longer-term appropriations before the year’s end.
“This is a straightforward, common-sense solution,” Johnson said. “It’s not partisan. It’s not ideological. It’s about keeping our government open while we do the hard work of budgeting responsibly.”
Democrats Push Back With Massive Spending Demands
Johnson accused Schumer and Jeffries of refusing to negotiate over what he called “a clean continuing resolution” — instead pushing a counterproposal filled with what Republicans view as unnecessary and ideologically driven spending.
“The Democrats’ version isn’t clean — it’s dirty,” Johnson said. “They want to tack on over $1.5 trillion in new spending, including $200 billion for healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants, $500 million to prop up the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and billions more in foreign aid for programs that have nothing to do with keeping our government running.”
He argued that Democrats are using the shutdown as a pressure tactic to force through new funding priorities that have no bipartisan support.
“They know these programs would never pass on their own, so they’re trying to cram them into a must-pass bill,” he added. “That’s not governing. That’s extortion.”
Johnson Says Democrats Fear Their Own Base
In perhaps his sharpest comments of the interview, Johnson suggested that Schumer and Jeffries are less concerned about resolving the shutdown than they are about maintaining control over their party’s restless far-left flank.
“Schumer and Jeffries know they’re walking a political tightrope,” Johnson said. “They’ve got self-described socialists and radical progressives breathing down their necks. If they compromise with Republicans, they risk a rebellion in their own ranks — especially in deep-blue New York.”
Johnson’s comments alluded to recent political rumblings within the Democratic Party, particularly in New York, where several progressive activists have discussed primary challenges against establishment figures like Schumer and Jeffries. The tension underscores the ideological rift between the Democratic leadership and its activist base, which has pushed for sweeping government spending, expanded welfare programs, and aggressive environmental policies.
“They’re afraid of being called traitors by their own Marxist base,” Johnson said. “That’s why they’d rather keep the government closed than strike a deal that puts Americans first.”
Americans Feel the Squeeze
Meanwhile, frustration continues to mount among ordinary Americans affected by the shutdown. Federal employees have gone weeks without pay, small business loans are delayed, and critical programs — including food assistance and housing aid — have faced interruptions.
Host Cheryl Casone pressed Johnson on what he would say to struggling families.
“Those Americans are hurting,” Johnson responded. “That’s why we passed a clean bill to keep the government running. It’s the Democrats who’ve blocked it at every turn. We could have ended this shutdown weeks ago.”
He added that Republican leadership has remained “ready to work” and has kept members on standby to reconvene within 48 hours if Democrats agree to move forward.
“We can have this done in two days,” Johnson said. “All it takes is for Democrats to stop playing games and start thinking about the people who are actually suffering.”
The Politics of Blame
Both parties have tried to control the narrative around the shutdown, accusing the other of being responsible for the stalemate. Democrats have framed the GOP’s proposal as short-sighted and claim it fails to address “urgent national needs,” while Republicans argue that Democrats are deliberately manufacturing a crisis to push their policy agenda.
Political analysts say both sides are under increasing pressure to deliver results.
“Shutdowns rarely benefit either party in the long run,” said Dr. Evelyn Marks, a political science professor at Georgetown University. “But in this case, the Democrats risk appearing obstructionist if voters perceive that they’re rejecting reasonable offers just to appease their left-wing base.”
GOP Position: Fiscal Discipline First
Republicans have made clear that they want any long-term spending agreement to include limits on discretionary spending and a rollback of what they see as excessive Biden-era expenditures.
“We’re not saying no to funding,” Johnson said. “We’re saying no to reckless spending. We’re saying no to borrowing from China to fund programs that don’t benefit American families.”
He also emphasized the need to refocus on core government responsibilities — such as border security, defense, and law enforcement — rather than funneling billions into new bureaucratic initiatives.
“Every dollar we spend should make life better for Americans, not for bureaucrats, illegal immigrants, or global NGOs,” Johnson said. “That’s what this fight is about.”
What Comes Next
If no deal is reached soon, economists warn that the economic impact could deepen. Federal workers will miss more paychecks, national parks and museums will remain closed, and critical agencies may face severe operational disruptions heading into the holiday season.
Still, Johnson struck an optimistic tone, saying he remains open to working across the aisle — as long as Democrats are willing to act in good faith.
“We can compromise on numbers,” he said. “What we can’t compromise on is principle. The American people deserve a government that works for them — not one that’s held hostage by ideological extremists.”
As negotiations continue behind closed doors, one thing is clear: the shutdown has become more than a budget fight. It’s a battle over political identity — a clash between moderation and ideology, pragmatism and partisanship.
And for now, with neither side willing to blink, Washington remains gridlocked.