Speaker Mike Johnson Cancels House Votes to Pressure Senate Democrats Amid Government Shutdown

Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled House activities for the week of October 7-13 amid the ongoing government shutdown, directing members to remain in their home districts until at least October 14. This move aims to pressure Senate Democrats, particularly Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to accept the Republican-led continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government for several weeks but excludes extended healthcare subsidies and reversals of recent Republican budget cuts. Democrats have repeatedly rejected the GOP's CR, insisting on provisions such as enhanced Obamacare subsidies and restoring Medicaid funding, leading to a stalemate as Senate votes have failed to pass either party's proposals. Johnson and House Republicans argue that they have fulfilled their responsibility by passing a bipartisan funding bill, while accusing Democrats of leveraging the shutdown for unrelated policy demands. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has criticized Johnson's cancellation of votes as a tactic to delay reopening the government, maintaining Democratic opposition by keeping members in Washington despite the House being out of session. The shutdown continues, with no legislative business scheduled next week, and pressure mounting on Senate Democrats to break the impasse.