House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is staunchly pursuing a strategy to pressure Senate Democrats into ending the ongoing government shutdown. His commitment surfaced during both public statements and a private briefing with House Republicans on Thursday. Despite this unified front, a palpable tension exists among some GOP lawmakers who worry about the optics of ongoing inaction as the shutdown stretches into its tenth day.
During a private call with House Republicans, Johnson emphasized his approach, aiming to keep national attention focused on Democrats for their resistance to the GOP’s government funding plans. He previously canceled House votes this week to sustain that attention. Johnson promised House members that they would receive a 48-hour notice before any votes were called, yet he did not specify when those votes might occur. In a recent interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” he remarked, “As soon as [Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.] decides to stop playing games, we’ll bring everybody back here and get right back to regular session.”
Nevertheless, some House Republicans are advocating for an immediate return to work, regardless of the shutdown status. Representatives Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., both pressed Johnson during the Thursday call to reconvene next week. Obernolte voiced concern that “None of that is getting done,” explaining, “I think we’re going to get to a point where it’s damaging to continue to keep the House out of session.” Fedorchak echoed this sentiment, suggesting that a presence in D.C. would bolster their strategic position.
In contrast, Johnson maintained his position on the necessity of a 48-hour waiting period before calling a vote, stating that a recess next week was not a “final call.” He indicated that most Republicans agreed with his current approach. Meanwhile, concerns were raised by Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., who publicly criticized the extended recess on social media. He stated, “What the House has done is pass a 7-week Continuing Resolution. The entire reason a CR is necessary is that Congress has not done its job in passing a timely budget.” Kiley urged that the Speaker should not consider canceling another week of session.
Additionally, Johnson confirmed he would not support a standalone vote focused on military pay during the shutdown. He described the push for it as a Democratic maneuver seeking political cover, all while they reject the GOP’s funding plan intended to keep the military paid and the government functioning through at least November 21. He stated, “The entire government has to be reopened simultaneously,” a claim met with skepticism from several House members.
Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., has publicly called for action to ensure military personnel receive their earnings during the shutdown. She wrote, “The President has made it clear: we must pay our troops. I’m urging the Speaker and our House leadership to immediately pass my bill to ensure our service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck while supporting their families, receive the pay they’ve earned.” Kiggans’ comments highlight the growing pressure on leadership to address military pay amid wider funding debates.
Concerns echoed further among House Republicans regarding the Senate GOP’s reluctance to take more drastic measures, like bypassing Democrats completely. Reps. John Rutherford, R-Fla., and Tom Barrett, R-Mich., stressed the importance of considering a change in Senate rules to facilitate the passing of necessary funding legislation quicker. Rutherford warned that failing to act could position Republicans poorly in terms of messaging. He questioned why the Senate hasn’t employed the so-called “nuclear option” to ensure military pay timelines align with recent decisions made regarding presidential nominees.
Responding to such concerns, Johnson explained during a C-SPAN Q&A that the filibuster is a long-standing tradition in the Senate that both parties value. He stated, “If you blow that up, and you go nuclear on something like a CR, their argument is you would open a Pandora’s box.” Johnson articulated a broader caution against eliminating the filibuster: “What if the socialists take over the Senate… and they could do it with a bare minimum majority next time?” This sentiment reflects a cautious yet strategic approach to legislative procedures amid rising tensions surrounding budget negotiations.
With Democrats rejecting the GOP’s funding plan for the seventh time and the government shutdown set to enter its tenth day, the situation remains precarious. Currently, Republicans advocate for a short-term extension of fiscal year 2025 funding levels—a move that would grant lawmakers additional time to negotiate fiscal year 2026 spending levels. However, Democrats are pushing back, as tensions escalate due to feeling sidelined in discussions, insisting on major concessions regarding healthcare provisions in exchange for their support in the funding deal.
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