Speaker Mike Johnson Condemns Democrats For Political Cowardice As The Government Shutdown Nears Historic Length & Tens Of Millions Lose Vital Benefits

Monday, November 3, 2025, 2:40 P.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- The federal government stands paralyzed on Day 34 of The Schumer Shutdown, as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson sharply rebuked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic leadership for “governing by fear of the far-left.” At a morning press conference at the U.S. Capitol, Johnson accused Democrats of holding the nation hostage for political leverage while millions of Americans face growing hardship.

     “This shutdown is a shutdown of fear,” Speaker Johnson declared. “It is extremism on the left that is the direct cause of American suffering right now.”

     “They fear that personally for their own political future, and they care more about that than they care about SNAP benefits flowing into hungry families, about air-traffic controllers being paid so they can keep the skies safe, border patrol, troops, and all the rest.”

     “Look, it costs over $9 billion to fund SNAP for a month, and we only have, I think, $5.2 billion in the contingency fund. So you have a big shortfall. You’ve got to go through and recalculate partial payments to the 42 million recipients of the program.”

     “Everybody needs to know, it’s not the full amount, assuming we could get this done and processed. And our folks are working literally around the clock over the weekend to try to figure this out. But the fact is: they’re not done yet.”

     Johnson pointed out that the House has already passed a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government, a straightforward funding bill Democrats refuse to vote on.

     “Democrats need to vote on the clean continuing resolution and stop blaming Republicans,” Johnson said.

     He blasted Democratic leadership for demanding an additional $1.5 trillion in new spending and clinging to costly health-care subsidies instead of prioritizing the American people.

     “When Democrats want an additional $1.5 trillion in additional spending, they need to stop with the health-care subsidies and face the fact that Democrats are in fear of their far-left radical base,” Johnson said.

A Crisis Of Democratic Inaction;

     As of this week, the shutdown is set to become the longest in U.S. history, surpassing the 35-day record from 2018–2019, marking what Johnson described as “a shameful first in American governance.”

     “As of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, this shutdown will become the longest in United States history,” the Speaker said grimly.

     Essential federal programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), have already hit funding cliffs. With emergency funds nearly depleted, partial benefits are expected to reach fewer families each week.

     “The fact is, we’re working around the clock, but Democrats have put us in this position,” Johnson stated. “They don’t care that people are suffering.”

     The Speaker accused Democrats of spreading “false claims” about Republican intentions and misrepresenting GOP efforts to restore funding.

“The idea that Republicans are shutting down the government, let’s call it what it is: the Democrats are refusing to vote for the clean funding measure we put before them. That claim is false,” he said, “It’s absolutely untrue to say Republicans want cuts to SNAP. We are funding SNAP to the extent possible; the shortage is a result of the shutdown itself.”

Democrats’ Political Gamble;

Johnson’s remarks underscored what many Republicans now describe as the Democrats’ “shutdown strategy,” using the crisis as a political weapon against the Trump administration and House conservatives. By holding out for massive new spending packages, Democrats appear to be aligning with their far-left flank rather than addressing the immediate economic pain of millions of families.

     Despite public concern over missed paychecks, stalled federal operations, and expired benefits, Democratic leaders remain entrenched. The result: by mid-week, “The Schumer Shutdown” will officially go down as the longest government shutdown in American history.

A Path Forward;

     Speaker Johnson closed the press conference by urging Democrats to put politics aside and reopen the government immediately.

     “We can reopen the government. The path is simple: vote yes on the CR and let’s move forward,” he said. “If your priority is hungry families, border safety, and keeping our air-traffic controllers paid, you’ll vote for the funding. Stop using this as a political stunt.”

     The Speaker’s message was clear: the stalemate is not about principle but power. With each passing day, the shutdown tightens its grip on federal workers and families, and Democrats, Johnson said, “own every bit of it.”

Editor’s Note:

This report by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor for Englebrook Independent News, is based on statements made by Speaker Mike Johnson at his November 3, 2025, press conference in Washington, D.C., as well as verified data regarding federal benefit programs and the ongoing shutdown. Attribution for quoted material is drawn from official transcripts and public reporting.