Democrats Trash Speaker Johnson

House Democrats are pushing back strongly against claims from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) that they have abandoned negotiations over government spending. They argue that it is actually Republicans who have failed to engage in good faith talks, citing internal divisions within the GOP that have stalled progress.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) dismissed Johnson’s accusations, suggesting that it is Republicans who are to blame for the lack of movement. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, expressed frustration, noting that she had been trying to engage with Republican negotiators for weeks but had been met with silence.

The dispute erupted on Thursday when Speaker Johnson blamed Democrats for the failure to agree on a top-line number to guide federal funding efforts. Without a resolution, large portions of the government are at risk of shutting down after March 14.

“We’ve been negotiating in good faith,” Johnson said in a Capitol press conference. “But as far as I know, they’ve been unresponsive the last couple of days.” He suggested that Democrats were setting the stage for a government shutdown.

However, DeLauro rejected Johnson’s claims, saying that she and Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chair of the House Appropriations Committee, had been actively engaged in discussions and that the Democrats had already delivered their latest offer. She urged the Speaker to check in with Cole to understand what has transpired.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) took a more aggressive stance, accusing Johnson of struggling to secure a deal due to outside pressure from figures like President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, both of whom have significant influence over conservative priorities. “He’s lying,” McGovern stated bluntly. “He’s a total shill for Trump and Musk.”

As Republicans work to unify their conference behind a spending package that would fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year, conservatives are pushing for significant cuts to federal programs. However, moderates within the GOP are resistant to such deep cuts, and Democrats are largely opposed. These internal GOP conflicts have caused delays in negotiations.

Despite the finger-pointing, Speaker Johnson has continued to place the blame on Democrats, particularly House Minority Leader Jeffries. “You need to ask Hakeem Jeffries about that,” he said, reiterating his belief that Democratic intransigence has been the key issue holding up progress.

Jeffries, however, responded by reminding Republicans that they control both chambers of Congress and the White House. “You’ve lectured America about your mandate,” Jeffries said. “Where is it?”

DeLauro, while acknowledging the difficult road ahead, expressed optimism that a deal could be reached in time to avoid a shutdown. However, she made it clear that Republicans hold the power to move forward. “When the Republicans want to move forward, we will go forward,” she said. “But it is in their hands.”

In the end, the impasse highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party, which will ultimately determine whether the government remains open or faces a shutdown. Democrats are waiting for Republicans to take the next step, but the clock is ticking toward the March 14 deadline.