Johnson Says House Will Not Return Until Senate Approves Stopgap Bill

Johnson Says House Will Not Return Until Senate Approves Stopgap Bill
Above: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Capitol Hill on Oct. 8, 2025 Image copyright: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Spin

Speaker Mike Johnson’s no-show shutdown strategy is a calculated move to pressure Senate Democrats to act on the funding bill his chamber passed three weeks ago. By keeping members physically apart during high tensions, he avoids chaos on the floor while Democrats continue to block government reopening. GOP lawmakers must now hold firm to protect taxpayers from radical Democrat demands and ensure Democrats are held accountable for keeping the government closed, stalling services, and engaging in bad-faith negotiating.

Speaker Johnson chose vacation over addressing the healthcare crisis, leaving Americans across the country at risk of losing insurance and seeing premiums skyrocket — 85,000 in his own state alone. He’s keeping the government shut down, imposing mass layoffs instead of calling back House Republicans to protect military paychecks and essential services. Democrats are ready to negotiate a bipartisan deal to reopen the government and safeguard affordable health care, yet Johnson continues to delay action, leaving Americans to suffer.

A growing number of House Republicans are breaking with Speaker Johnson, warning his shutdown strategy is endangering Americans. Health care costs are soaring, military paychecks are delayed, and critical services are stalled. Leaders like Greene, Kiley, and Stefanik say the House must reconvene to fund troops and restore essential services, arguing Johnson and Senate GOP leadership are letting the government shutdown spiral while Americans — of all political stripes — suffer.

President Trump and the White House are committed to ensuring military members are paid despite the shutdown. Options include shifting available funds or advancing a standalone troop pay bill. Active-duty servicemembers will receive their paychecks, showing Republicans will protect the troops even as the government remains closed.


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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.0

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.17.0