Posted on 10/14/2025 9:35:50 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson predicted Monday the federal government shutdown may become the longest in history, saying he “won’t negotiate” with Democrats until they hit pause on their health care demands and reopen.
Standing alone at the Capitol on the 13th day of the shutdown, the speaker said he was unaware of the details of the thousands of federal workers being fired by the Trump administration. It’s a highly unusual mass layoff widely seen as way to seize on the shutdown to reduce the scope of government. Vice President JD Vance has warned of “painful” cuts ahead, even as employee unions sue.
“We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history,” Johnson of Louisiana said.
With no endgame in sight, the shutdown is expected to roll on for the unforeseeable future. The closure has halted routine government operations, shuttered Smithsonian museums and other landmark cultural institutions and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions, all injecting more uncertainty into an already precarious economy.
The House is out of legislative session, with Johnson refusing to recall lawmakers back to Washington, while the Senate, closed Monday for the federal holiday, will return to work Tuesday. But senators are stuck in a cul-de-sac of failed votes as Democrats refuse to relent on their health care demands.
Johnson thanked President Donald Trump for ensuring military personnel are paid this week, which removed one main pressure point that may have pushed the parties to the negotiating table. The Coast Guard is also receiving pay, a senior administration official confirmed Monday. The official insisted on anonymity to discuss plans that have yet to be formally rolled out.
At its core, the shutdown is a debate over health care policy — particularly...
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Figure out a way to keep paying the military and ATC and I’m good
Let me see I got up this morning rode my motorcycle.
Went to a Dr, appt.
Came home can’t say i noticed that the federal government was shut down.
The Senate Rats lost the election and shutdown the government because the majority doesn’t support their agenda. They are undermining democracy.
How about a straight up senate vote.
Yup—I am deep into “I don’t care” country.
The thought of all the illegal aliens not getting my tax money—this month so far—puts a big smile is on my face.
Credit Union was closed yesterday but it was Columbus Day anyway, NOT national indigents day.
Yeah I’m a Dinosaur.
“It’s a highly unusual mass layoff widely seen as way to seize on the shutdown to reduce the scope of government.”
Never waste a crisis. Did I get it right?
“Never waste a crisis.”
Close! It’s: Never let a crisis go to waste!
Repubs could do the nuclear option at any time. The 60 votes in the Senate is a red herring. He is avoiding a forced vote on the Epstein release.
If there was anything about Trump in the mythical "Epstein files" you think the Democrats wouldn't have released it during the 2024 campaign?
Seriously?
Government shutdown until democrats get free medical for illegals and other goodies free.
When the tax payer isn’t bleeding enough cut deeper and more places.
“How about a straight up senate vote.”
____________________________________________________________
Because there aren’t 60 votes in the Senate for cloture.
Stop teasing me with a good time.
Good
By that I meant the nuclear option.
The government is shut down?! I hadn’t even noticed.
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