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By Anna Commander
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Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that the United States is "barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns" in history on Monday as lawmakers remained at a standstill over funding and policy.
Newsweek reached out to Johnson's office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The federal government shutdown, now close to entering its third week, has far-reaching consequences, affecting millions of Americans, federal workers and critical services.
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As negotiations continue to stall, Johnson’s warning about a possible record-setting shutdown signals heightened uncertainty for government operations, health insurance, disaster relief and more. The standoff also reflects persistent partisan divisions over health care policy, with the potential to significantly disrupt daily life and long-term planning for both citizens and businesses.
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What To Know
While speaking to reporters, Johnson said: "We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history, unless Democrats drop their partisan demands and pass a clean no strings attached budget to reopen the government and pay our federal workers,” according to CNN.
The Speaker then quoted former President Barack Obama saying that he wouldn't pay a "ransom in exchange for reopening the government,” CNN reports.
“What Barack Obama demanded then is exactly what Republicans are saying now, we will not allow the American people to be taken hostage over partisan demands,” said Johnson.
The current ongoing shutdown began nearly two weeks ago amid congressional deadlock over federal funding. At issue is a disagreement over the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which Republicans seek to separate from negotiations while Democrats insist on renewing them before reaching any funding deal.
The Senate has voted seven times without success to pass a House Republican bill to temporarily reopen the government until November 21.
What People Are Saying
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York on X on Sunday: "House Republicans are now scheming to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And take away healthcare from tens of millions of Americans. How did that work out for the extremists the last time they tried it?"
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York on X on Sunday: "Speaker Johnson cares more about protecting Trump from the Epstein files than he does about protecting health care for the American people."
Trump on Truth Social on Saturday: "Chuck Schumer recently said, 'Every day gets better' during their Radical Left Shutdown. I DISAGREE! If nothing is done, because of 'Leader' Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th. That is why I am using my authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th. We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS. I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government Shutdown. The Radical Left Democrats should OPEN THE GOVERNMENT, and then we can work together to address Healthcare, and many other things that they want to destroy. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
What Happens Next
The Senate plans another vote to potentially end the shutdown on October 14, but no clear path to resolution has emerged.
The next inflection point could coincide with open health insurance enrollment on November 1 and pending payroll deadlines for federal workers.
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