House Speaker Mike Johnson recently appeared on “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo, where he voiced concerns about the looming government shutdown and the political maneuvers of Democratic leaders. With just days to spare, he noted, “We are less than 72 hours away from a shutdown of the federal government.” He emphasized that the Republican Party is pushing for a clean continuing resolution (CR) to keep operations running while Congress debates necessary budgetary matters.
Bartiromo highlighted a significant measure from the Office of Management and Budget, which instructed federal agencies to prepare for deep budget cuts during this potential shutdown. She pressed Johnson on whether he believed a shutdown could be averted, to which he replied, “I certainly hope so,” underscoring the urgency of a meeting planned at the White House to bring together key legislative leaders. Johnson explained that the purpose of the meeting is to put pressure on Congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, urging them to stop their “political games.”
Johnson lamented Congress’s failure to adhere to its traditional responsibilities, specifically the annual requirement to pass twelve separate appropriations bills. He stated, “The statutes in federal law require Congress to do 12 separate appropriations bills every year. That’s the only way to ensure stewardship of taxpayer funds.” Instead of following this protocol, he said, the process has devolved into massive omnibus spending bills, illustrating a pattern of procrastination in budget management.
During the discussion, Johnson pointed out that the bipartisan negotiations have not been what they should be, saying, “For the first time since 2019, we have an actual conference committee between the two chambers to work out the differences.” However, he criticized Senator Schumer for focusing on adding excessive spending rather than collaborating on a solution. He criticized Schumer’s rejection of proposals that would have curtailed expenditures in favor of what he described as “1.5 trillion dollars in new spending to a seven-week stopgap bill,” including provisions for healthcare for illegal immigrants funded by American taxpayers.
When Bartiromo questioned how lawmakers could revert to pre-COVID spending levels while still retaining subsidies introduced during the pandemic, Johnson affirmed the necessity of a temporary funding measure to maintain government functions. He pointedly stated, “There is one reason, and one reason alone that Schumer and Jeffries are doing this. They are trying to show a fight.” He concluded, “We are just keeping the doors open, but they want to shut it.”
Johnson’s remarks underscore a significant tension in Washington, where partisan divides complicate the fundamental tasks of governance. The struggle to balance fiscal responsibility with political agendas illustrates a broader issue that has persisted over the years, as leaders on both sides wrestle with their respective priorities and the expectations of their constituents. As the deadline approaches, the implications of their negotiations will resonate across the nation, affecting not only lawmakers but also the American public who rely on governmental stability.
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