Speaker Johnson Cancels House Votes Pressuring Senate Democrats Amid Government Shutdown

The U.S. government shutdown entered its third day after the Senate failed to pass a short-term funding bill, with Republicans pushing to reopen the government before addressing healthcare negotiations. House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled scheduled votes to pressure Senate Democrats into accepting a GOP-crafted continuing resolution to keep the government open, but Democrats have rejected it due to demands on healthcare subsidies. The shutdown has led to closures of federal areas such as Johnson Beach in Florida and limited public access to national parks and certain federal services, impacting thousands of federal employees, including about 12,000 in South Dakota who may go unpaid. Rep. Dusty Johnson introduced the Eliminate Shutdowns Act, proposing a mechanism to prevent future shutdowns, emphasizing that shutdowns harm Americans and disrupt essential government services. President Donald Trump's administration has taken an aggressive stance during the shutdown, threatening mass firings and budget cuts, particularly targeting programs important to Democrats, with layoffs reportedly imminent. This shutdown reflects ongoing partisan conflicts in Congress, with significant consequences for federal workers and public services nationwide.