John Thune and Mike Johnson on Government Shutdown: Blame and Responsibility

Blame for the Shutdown

• 🎯 Senate Democrats are identified as the primary reason for the government shutdown, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator John Thune.
• 📌 The House passed a bipartisan, conventional 24-page continuing resolution to keep the government funded, but it was rejected by the Senate.
• 💡 Republicans express a desire for a normal appropriations process, including passing bills on the floor of both the House and Senate.

Responsibility and Negotiations

• ⚡ Thune stated that there is nothing to negotiate at this point, as the current situation is a straightforward solution to keep the government open.
• 🤝 While discussions are ongoing with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Senate Democrats are currently blocking progress.
• ⚠️ Commitments or promises on COVID subsidies cannot be guaranteed due to a lack of sufficient votes.

Path Forward

• 🚀 The House will return to session to do its work once Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer allows the government to reopen.
• 💬 Thune is open to conversations with Democrat colleagues about addressing issues like COVID subsidies, but this cannot happen while the government is shut down.
• 🗓️ There is nothing to be gained by continuing to give the Senate chances to vote no; the hope is that over the weekend, they will reconsider and allow progress.