Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has declared the House of Representatives out of session for a third consecutive week, escalating pressure on Senate Democrats as the government shutdown drags on with no end in sight.
According to Fox News, the move marks Johnson’s latest attempt to force Democrats to take up the GOP’s short-term funding measure, which the Senate has rejected seven times. Democrats have demanded the inclusion of pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year — a condition Republicans have labeled as unreasonable.
The House passed its continuing resolution (CR) on Sept. 19 to keep the government funded at current levels through Nov. 21, giving negotiators more time to strike a long-term spending deal for fiscal year 2026. But after Democrats blocked the bill, the House has remained out of session ever since.
Johnson made his decision public Friday afternoon during a brief pro forma session. Under constitutional requirements, the House must convene periodically even if no legislative action is taken. These short meetings, however, often serve as opportunities for lawmakers to make speeches or introduce noncontroversial bills.
The speaker had already canceled votes on Sept. 29 and 30, as well as the following week, in an effort to pressure Senate Democrats into accepting the House’s proposal. Johnson told GOP members during a private call Thursday that he would give them 48 hours’ notice before calling them back to Washington.
Johnson has repeatedly said he will not reopen the House until Senate Democrats agree to take up the CR. In the meantime, he has urged Republican lawmakers to remain in their districts and emphasize the shutdown’s impact on everyday Americans.
That strategy, however, is beginning to face resistance within his own ranks. Several Republicans are calling for a standalone vote to ensure active-duty military personnel continue receiving pay during the shutdown. Without congressional action, service members and other federal employees are set to miss paychecks on Oct. 15 if the impasse persists.
At least three GOP lawmakers — Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.), and Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) — have publicly or privately pushed for the House to reconvene next week.
Meanwhile, tensions have flared in Washington. Two Senate Democrats reportedly confronted Johnson this week, while Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) got into a heated shouting match with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) over Obamacare subsidies.
Asked about the growing hostilities, Johnson acknowledged the strain.
“I’m a very patient man. But I am very angry right now because this is dangerous stuff. And so, is it better for them to be physically separated right now? It probably is,” Johnson said Thursday.
“Frankly, I wish that weren’t the case. But we do have to turn the volume down. The best way to turn the volume down is to turn the lights back on and get the government open for the people.”
