Johnson Warns US Faces Potentially Historic Government Shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson has issued a serious warning as the government shutdown extends into its second week. During a press conference on the 13th day of the shutdown, Johnson stated that the United States is on track for one of the longest shutdowns in its history unless Democrats abandon their partisan demands. He urged for a straightforward budget approval to reopen the government and ensure federal employees receive their pay.

Background on the Government Shutdown

The current government shutdown commenced on October 1, 2025, after Senate Democrats rejected the GOP’s funding plan. Since then, there have been multiple blocks against the same funding proposal.

Historical Context

• The longest shutdown in U.S. history lasted 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019 during President Trump’s tenure.
• The second-longest shutdown, lasting 21 days, occurred under President Bill Clinton between December 1995 and January 1996.
• As of now, the ongoing shutdown is the fifth-longest in U.S. history, following a 1978 shutdown during President Jimmy Carter’s administration.

During his address, Johnson quoted former President Barack Obama, who in 2013 noted that the only resolution to a government shutdown was congressional approval of a budget without partisan attachments. Johnson emphasized that persistent Democratic obstruction could result in the 2025 shutdown becoming the third-longest in American history.

Proposals and Political Dynamics

The Republican Party has proposed a continuing resolution that would extend federal funding levels for fiscal year 2025 through November 21, 2025. This measure would provide additional time for lawmakers to forge a longer-term agreement for fiscal year 2026, which already began on October 1, 2025.

• The proposed continuing resolution is primarily free of policy additions, apart from a request for an extra $88 million for security for lawmakers, the judicial branch, and the White House.
• This proposal garnered mostly partisan support in the House of Representatives on September 19, 2025.

However, Democratic lawmakers have expressed frustration over being excluded from budgeting discussions. They argue that any funding agreement must also include an extension of the enhanced COVID-19 subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire at the end of the year.

As the political standoff persists, the implications of the shutdown continue to unfold, prompting calls for bipartisan cooperation to restore government operations and protect the interests of federal workers.