Speaker Johnson: We are not asking the Democrats to do anything heroic

Speaker Johnson criticizes Senate Democrats and accuses Schumer of hypocrisy over the government shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered sharp criticism against Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, accusing them of acting hypocritically and putting politics above the well-being of the American people amid the partial federal government shutdown.

Johnson reminded reporters that Schumer, just seven months ago, had passionately defended the need to keep the government open. “Chuck Schumer gave passionate speeches in March of this year. He said shutting down the government would be dangerous and harmful to the American people. After the vote, he went on CNN and said, ‘I’m proud of that vote. I didn’t like it, but it was necessary.’ He was right then; he’s not right now,” the Speaker said.

The Republican leader stressed that his caucus is not asking the Democrats for anything extraordinary: “We’re not asking them to do something heroic, just to fulfill their basic duty and responsibility — to keep the government open.”

Visibly frustrated, Johnson emphasized that the government’s first responsibility is to protect its citizens, yet “the very people who are supposed to be protected are being completely misled by Senate Democrats because they want to play politics.” He added that the problem stems from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” an anti-Trump obsession that, according to him, continues to drive the Democratic Party’s decisions.

“The American people are sick of these games,” Johnson warned. “Today, Democrats have another opportunity to reopen the government, and we’ll see if they do the right thing. I pray they will, because real people are being affected by all of this.”

The Speaker’s remarks reflect the growing tension between the Republican-controlled House and the Democrat-led Senate, amid a political stalemate that threatens to prolong the government shutdown and impact millions of Americans.

Video Source: C-SPAN