Speaker Mike Johnson is increasing pressure on Senate Democrats by keeping the House out of session for a sixth consecutive week amid the ongoing government shutdown—the second-longest in U.S. history. With less than a week before potentially surpassing the 2018-2019 shutdown record of nearly 35 days, the stalemate continues.
Senate Democrats have rejected the GOP’s short-term federal funding plan 13 times. While some signs of compromise are beginning to emerge, leaders on both sides have yet to signal any flexibility in their positions. Meanwhile, funding for critical programs that millions of American families rely on is expected to run out this weekend. The Senate is set to leave Washington until Monday after once again failing to pass the funding bill.
**Battleground Republicans Hold the Line as Johnson Pressures Democrats on Shutdown**
Federal dollars for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are expected to run dry starting Saturday, putting food stamp benefits at risk for approximately 42 million Americans. Funding for the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC), which supports pregnant mothers and children under age five, is also in danger despite earlier funding adjustments during the Trump administration.
Additionally, the Head Start program, which provides childcare support for low-income families with young children, is likely to exhaust its funding this weekend.
The Republicans’ proposal, a continuing resolution (CR), calls for a mostly flat seven-week extension of current federal funding levels. It also includes $88 million in security funding for lawmakers, the White House, and the judicial branch—an allocation with bipartisan support.
However, Democrats in both the House and Senate have expressed outrage over being excluded from federal funding negotiations. They have been advocating for an extension of Obamacare subsidies enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. These enhancements are set to expire by the end of 2025 unless Congress acts.
Republican leaders have shown willingness to discuss reforming and enhancing these healthcare credits but are rejecting Democrats’ demand to include them in the CR. Democrats hope that the looming open enrollment period, also starting Saturday, may pressure Republicans into concessions.
Since passing the bill on September 19, Johnson has kept the House out of session. Democrats have criticized this move nearly every day, accusing the GOP leader of keeping Republicans “on vacation” while the government remains shut down.
In response, Johnson insists the House cannot resume work until Democrats agree to end the shutdown. Instead, he has directed Republicans to stay in their districts to communicate the shutdown’s impact and assist constituents in navigating the challenges it presents.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/johnson-raises-shutdown-stakes-schumer-food-stamp-deadline-obamacare-cliff-loom
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