By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During a late October 2025 news conference amid a government shutdown, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Democrats were required to reopen the government, and that Republicans were not “in charge” due to the Senate’s 60-vote threshold. Johnson’s remarks correctly attributed the responsibility for reopening the government to Democrats, emphasizing the need for their support given the Republicans’ minority status in the Senate. The comments were made in the context of ongoing negotiations, where the House of Representatives needed to pass a bill to reopen the government. The Democratic Party highlighted Johnson’s remarks in comparison to an earlier statement where he acknowledged Republicans’ control of the White House and both houses of Congress.
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Mike Johnson’s assertion that Republicans aren’t “in charge” of the government, citing the Senate’s 60-vote threshold, is a fascinating rhetorical move, isn’t it? It’s like saying, “We have the keys to the house, but we can’t open the door without borrowing a neighbor’s key.” The crux of the matter here is the implication that because of the filibuster, Republicans are somehow not fully responsible for the state of affairs, even with a majority in the House and a potential path to influence in the Senate.
Let’s break this down. Basically, if they’re not fully “in charge,” and need the votes of senators representing millions of Americans to pass their budget, shouldn’t they be offering something to those senators to earn their votes? Instead, it feels like they’re trying to govern with a mandate they don’t actually have. This tactic allows them to claim strength when it suits them, but then pass the blame when things go sideways. It’s a classic example of political hypocrisy.
This response brings to mind a critical question: If the goal is to pass a bill and reopen the government, wouldn’t negotiating with those who *are* in a position to help get it passed be the logical next step? The idea that they could simply “nuke the filibuster” and bypass the Democrats entirely seems like wishful thinking. The reality is, they need to get to work and stop making excuses.
The core of the issue boils down to accountability. The common refrain of “it’s always someone else’s fault” points to a deeper problem: the unwillingness to compromise and work within the established system. The Republicans have control of the House, a significant voice in the Senate, and a presence in the Supreme Court. That doesn’t translate to being fully in charge. It means they need to negotiate and work with the minority, which represents a large part of America.
The 60-vote rule in the Senate isn’t some arbitrary obstacle; it’s a design element intended to promote compromise. It forces the majority to consider the concerns of the minority, which ideally leads to more broadly supported legislation. Republicans can’t just dictate terms. They have to persuade.
This is where the idea of leadership comes in. If Republicans truly wanted to see changes, if they wanted to get bills passed and the government reopened, they would need to engage in what’s known as the “art of the deal,” as it were. That entails negotiation, not just demands. And if they fail to do that, they are responsible for the consequences. And there are consequences, such as health care cost increases, shutdowns, and a general lack of faith in the government.
The situation seems more complicated when one considers the complete control Republicans exercise over all three branches of the government, plus their Supreme Court majority. They control the game. They set the field. And yet, the claim is they’re not in charge? It seems to be the very definition of “having your cake and eating it, too.” They want the credit without the blame.
Consider, for example, the impact on healthcare. Republicans talk about improving health care, yet the results of some of their actions, such as potentially weakening the ACA, could lead to adverse outcomes for the people they claim to serve. If they are to be in charge of the government, they must then own up to the responsibilities that go along with it.
It’s all a matter of accountability and responsibility, isn’t it? If the Republicans hold the positions of power, then the consequences, good or bad, rest with them. If they want to get anything done, they must compromise. It’s not just a matter of political gamesmanship; it’s about governing. It’s what happens when the majority acts as if they have complete control but actually still need to negotiate with a minority.