WASHINGTON, D.C. Oct 22, 2025 –
As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, House Speaker Mike Johnson unleashed a scathing critique of Senate Democrats in a Wall Street Journal Opinion interview, framing the impasse as a politically motivated standoff driven by fears of “Marxist” primary challenges. In a 1:47 video clip shared on X Wednesday night, Johnson urged a handful of Democrats to “do the correct thing” by backing a clean continuing resolution (CR) to avert deeper chaos for troops, air travelers, and vulnerable families—echoing the bipartisan support the measure garnered in March.
“It’s a math problem, right? You gotta have 60 votes in the Senate. We only have 53 Republicans, so we’ve got to have a handful of Democrats do the correct thing there,” Johnson said from his ornate Capitol office, flanked by American flags and a portrait of a Founding Father. He lambasted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries—both New Yorkers—as “decision makers” cowering before the party’s far-left flank, including potential challengers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or a “Mondavi disciple” city councilman. “They cannot yield; they have to show a fight so they can prove to the far left that they’re willing to fight Trump,” Johnson charged, tying the gridlock to “the rise of Marxism in New York and around the country.”
The House, under Johnson’s GOP majority, passed a stopgap funding bill on September 30 to maintain operations through November 21, but Senate Democrats have rejected it 11 times, demanding concessions on issues like ACA tax credits and disaster aid. With the shutdown kicking off October 1, non-essential services have ground to a halt, leaving over 2 million federal workers furloughed or laboring without pay—retroactive compensation now teed up for a Senate vote today. Johnson, who has kept the House in recess to pressure the upper chamber, dismissed rumors of Democrats dragging proceedings past Thanksgiving as “madness,” warning of cascading effects: 53% of flight delays now stem from understaffed air traffic control towers, per Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, while veterans’ health services and nutrition aid for new mothers hang in limbo.
“This is suspended because these guys want to play politics,” Johnson fumed, pointing to the “hate America rallies” over the weekend as evidence of the radical left’s grip. His remarks, delivered opposite WSJ host Kim Strother, build on a House Republican push for a longer extension—potentially to December 2026—to buy time for full-year appropriations amid the stalemate. Yet intraparty fissures are emerging: Some Senate Republicans, wary of prolonged pain, are quietly advocating compromise, while hardliners back Johnson’s “away game” strategy of withholding House action until Democrats blink.
The X post, viewed over 13,000 times by Thursday morning, ignited a firestorm in replies. Supporters like @RealPatriot1776 cheered, “Finally, someone calling out the Marxist takeover! #EndTheShutdown,” while critics piled on: @BlueWave2025 shot back, “Your ‘clean CR’ ignores real needs like healthcare extensions—compromise or own the chaos, Mike.” One viral meme depicted Johnson as a calculator failing basic addition, captioned “53 + 7 = Shutdown,” underscoring demands for GOP sweeteners to woo moderate Democrats.
Analysts see Johnson’s calculus as high-stakes brinkmanship in a divided Congress, where Republicans hold slim majorities but face a filibuster-proof Senate hurdle. “The pressure points on the calendar—November 1 premium notices, holiday travel—could force hands,” noted one Hill insider, though Democrats counter that the House bill shortchanges key priorities like Medicaid enhancements passed earlier this year. As the Appropriations Conference teeters, the speaker’s plea for “just a few” Democratic defections recalls March’s rare unity, when a similar CR sailed through on cross-aisle votes.
With markets jittery and public frustration mounting—polls show 62% blaming both parties equally—the shutdown’s toll could eclipse the 35-day 2018-19 record if unresolved. Johnson ended defiantly: “Zero leadership. Just politics.” For feds staring down another paycheckless payday, the equation feels anything but simple.
