WASHINGTON, D.C. February 1, 2026 – U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press where he voiced strong confidence that Congress could resolve the ongoing partial government shutdown by Tuesday. The shutdown, now in its early stages, stems primarily from disputes over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), amid broader debates on immigration enforcement and related reforms.
In the interview with host Kristen Welker, Speaker Johnson emphasized Republicans’ commitment to responsible governance and regular order in appropriations. He highlighted that 11 of 12 appropriations bills have already passed both chambers, leaving DHS as the key outstanding issue.
“I’m confident that we’ll do it at least by Tuesday,” Johnson stated. He acknowledged logistical challenges in assembling members due to weather and other factors but stressed that Republicans aim to fund all agencies except DHS initially, followed by two weeks of good-faith negotiations on DHS funding and potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reforms.
The Speaker pointedly criticized Democrats, accusing them of contributing to previous shutdowns and warning against further chaos. He noted discussions with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), indicating Democrats may not support expedited processes, meaning Republicans would likely need to pass measures largely on their own despite their razor-thin majority.
The appearance follows the Justice Department’s recent release of over 3 million pages of records related to Jeffrey Epstein, though Johnson addressed separate questions on that topic by stating he had no additional concerns regarding President Trump’s historical associations mentioned in the documents.
Johnson’s comments align with his subsequent post on X (formerly Twitter) on February 1, 2026, where he reiterated: “After Democrats caused the longest shutdown in U.S. history last year, Republicans are not going to let them put the American people through that chaos again. We’re funding the government the right way — through regular order.”
The post received significant engagement, including calls from some conservative users to include the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) or other immigration-related provisions in any funding deal.
As negotiations continue, Speaker Johnson projected optimism that the shutdown would be short-lived, allowing focus to shift toward immigration enforcement priorities in the coming weeks. The full *Meet the Press* episode and clips are available on NBC News platforms.
This situation remains fluid, with potential votes expected early this week as lawmakers return to Washington.
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