Day 23 Of The “Schumer Shutdown,” Speaker Mike Johnson & Secretary Sean Duffy warn of Air Travel Chaos As Democrats Admit Using The Crisis For Leverage, With SNAP Aid At Risk For November

 Thursday, October 23, 2025, 7:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- With the government shutdown stretching into its 23rd day, Republican leaders are intensifying their criticism of Democratic lawmakers for what they describe as a politically motivated standoff causing real hardship across the nation.

     At a joint appearance, Speaker Mike Johnson and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the deepening disruption in U.S. air travel. Duffy noted that thousands of unpaid federal aviation employees are “working under extreme strain,” citing a sharp uptick in flight delays and cancellations since the shutdown began. Johnson reaffirmed his stance that the House will not reconvene until the Senate acts to reopen the government.

     In the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune introduced a test bill to pay essential federal workers, which failed 54–45. Democratic Senators John Fetterman, Jon Ossoff, and Raphael Warnock joined Republicans in voting for the measure, a sign of growing bipartisan concern over the shutdown’s impact.

     Meanwhile, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark admitted during an interview that the ongoing shutdown is “one of the few leverage times we have,” referencing Democratic efforts to secure additional healthcare spending for non-citizens. The remark drew swift backlash from Republicans, who accused Democrats of using American families as “bargaining chips.”

     Compounding the crisis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that SNAP benefits may not be funded for November 1, leaving millions of low-income Americans uncertain about food assistance. Several states have begun issuing advisories, warning that insufficient federal funds could result if the shutdown continues past this month.

     Senator Thune summarized the situation bluntly: “This shutdown is inflicting real pain on Americans across the country.”

     For now, Speaker Johnson has vowed not to recall the House until the Senate votes to reopen the government, keeping the impasse squarely in Senate Democrats’ hands.

Editor’s Note:

This article is based on verified reporting from Reuters, Fox News, official statements from Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary Sean Duffy, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as direct quotes from House Minority Whip Katherine Clark’s televised interview. All data and remarks were cross-checked for accuracy as of October 23, 2025.