WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 10, 2025 — On Day 10 of the federal government shutdown, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson delivered a fiery press conference, placing full responsibility for the ongoing stalemate on Senate Democrats and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Speaking alongside Republican leadership, Johnson accused Schumer of sacrificing working Americans to appease the far-left wing of his party. “Chuck Schumer is hurting real Americans for his own political survival,” Johnson said. “This is the first time in history a party has shut down the government over a clean continuing resolution.”
GOP: Democrats Blocking Clean Funding Bill
Johnson emphasized that the House passed a no-frills 24-page continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open, maintain pay for federal workers, and fund essential services. He said Senate Democrats have rejected the bill multiple times without offering legitimate alternatives.
“There are no poison pills. No tricks,” Johnson said. “This is a clean CR that Senate Democrats have supported 13 times under President Biden. They’re blocking it now to score points with the far left.”
According to Johnson and other GOP leaders, Democrats in key states — including New York, Virginia, and California — are voting repeatedly to block paychecks for federal workers and service members.
In Virginia alone, nearly 190,000 federal workers are affected. California and Maryland each have more than 150,000 federal employees impacted. TSA agents, air traffic controllers, border patrol agents, and Capitol Police are among those working without pay.
Johnson: “Shame on You, Chuck”
Johnson directly criticized Schumer for boasting that the shutdown benefits Democrats politically. “Every day of the shutdown gets better for us,” Schumer allegedly said, a quote that Speaker Johnson repeated with visible disgust. “It’s sickening,” he added.
House Republicans argued that the Democrats’ strategy is not about negotiation, but about leveraging national pain for partisan gain. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Whip Tom Emmer echoed these sentiments, accusing Democrats of refusing to negotiate while claiming moral high ground.
“Service members living paycheck to paycheck will miss rent while Democrats pat themselves on the back,” Scalise said. Emmer called the shutdown “disqualifying,” and accused Senate Democrats of holding the government hostage to support “a hate-America rally.”
Pressure Mounts, But GOP Holds Line
When pressed by reporters about changing strategy in light of growing consequences — from law enforcement going unpaid to rescinded green energy funds — Johnson stood firm.
“There’s nothing left to negotiate,” he said. “We sent over a clean bill. We’ve done our job. The ball is in their court.”
Johnson maintained that Republicans have already voted eight times to fund troops and essential services. He dismissed the idea of recalling House Republicans from their districts, stating they are working on the ground to support constituents affected by the shutdown.
“Senate Democrats need to turn the lights back on,” Johnson said. “Until then, the shutdown is their burden to lift.”
Federal Workers and Families in Limbo
The press conference highlighted real-world consequences. Capitol Police missed their first paycheck this week. Federal workers in multiple states are bracing for more missed paydays. National Guard members may soon be impacted, with Minnesota’s 11,000 Guardsmen facing delayed compensation.
“This isn’t politics — it’s livelihoods,” said Johnson. “Look at the votes. Republicans are trying to reopen the government. Democrats are voting to keep it closed.”
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Ten years of experience reporting. From car chases and courtroom verdicts to House fires, Holsford thrives during breaking news and finds it a privilege to help drive the conversation in Rockland County and the Greater New York Area. Born in San Bernardino, Thomas is a New York boy at heart. He received his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, specializing in political science and sociology, from the University of Illinois
