Speaker Mike Johnson continued to criticize Senate Democrats for their stance on government funding, highlighting the impact of the shutdown on various states and sectors. During a press conference on Wednesday, Johnson shared a series of headlines showing the real-world consequences of the funding blockage.
He specifically pointed out the situation in Georgia, where Democratic senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff have repeatedly voted to keep the government closed, leading to food bank shortages for families. Johnson implied that these senators could continue this pattern, further straining the communities they represent.
Moving on to New Hampshire, Johnson noted the effect on the state’s public spaces, with Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan tied to the closure of national park sites. He highlighted the disruption to visitors and the potential long-term impact on local tourism.
Johnson also turned his attention to the aviation sector, emphasizing the ongoing stress on air traffic controllers and other flight-related workers. With no clear resolution in sight, these employees face uncertainty about their paychecks, adding to the broader economic strain from the shutdown.
Later Wednesday, the Senate will hold its sixth vote on dueling stop, which are expected to fail. Both parties remain entrenched in their positions, with no formal negotiations underway. Privately, Republicans have acknowledged their initial belief that Democrats would quickly concede, now realizing the shutdown has entered a prolonged phase.