House Republicans are preparing to vote on a bill to reopen the US government, despite strong opposition from Democrats. Democrats plan to oppose the bill because it fails to extend tax credits for Affordable Care Act health plans, a key demand for the party. The Senate passed the compromise bill, and now the House is expected to vote, but a significant number of House Democrats, including the New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Progressive caucus, are against the measure. This poses a challenge for Speaker Mike Johnson, as he can only afford to lose a few Republican votes.
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As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history nears an end, a discharge petition to force the release of Jeffrey Epstein files is poised to reach the required signatures, spearheaded by Republican Representative Thomas Massie. The petition’s success hinges on the swearing-in of Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, who has pledged to sign it. While House Speaker Mike Johnson initially delayed Grijalva’s swearing-in, citing the shutdown, he now intends to proceed. Experts suggest the petition poses a challenge to Johnson and the Republican Party, potentially weakening his control and forcing a vote on the Epstein files.
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U.S. Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva is anticipated to be sworn in this week. Her swearing-in was delayed by House Speaker Mike Johnson despite Grijalva winning a special election in September. Grijalva and the Arizona attorney general filed a lawsuit against the U.S. House of Representatives. Johnson claimed the delay was due to the House not being in full session, but Grijalva and her supporters suggested it was related to her pledge to sign a discharge petition on the Epstein files.
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Speaker Mike Johnson intends to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva before a vote to reopen the government, breaking a long delay. Democrats have pushed for her swearing-in since her August election, even filing a lawsuit. As the Senate prepares to pass an amended continuing resolution, Johnson is calling House members back to Washington. The Senate’s version extends the resolution to January 31, 2026, and includes a minibus of appropriations, excluding extensions of Obamacare subsidies.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly urged Speaker Mike Johnson to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. Greene criticized Johnson’s decision to keep the House out of session, preventing her from representing her district. Johnson has stated that he cannot swear Grijalva in while the House is out of session, despite Grijalva’s desire to participate in a petition. Grijalva has also expressed concern over the delayed swearing-in, describing it as “undemocratic” and detrimental to her constituents.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson stated he is prepared to “let this process play out” instead of negotiating with Democrats to end the government shutdown. Johnson refused to commit to a vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, despite growing economic hardship for Americans, including rising healthcare premiums. Democrats criticized Johnson’s stance, with advocates like Leslie Dach condemning his lack of action as the shutdown continues. While the Senate plans a vote on a temporary funding plan that includes a promise of a future vote on the ACA tax credits, it’s unlikely to gain Democratic support.
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Elected six weeks ago, the Arizona representative-elect has been denied being sworn in by Speaker Mike Johnson, setting a modern-day record for the longest wait. During this time, the House has been in recess while crucial economic and social issues remain unaddressed, potentially affecting millions of Americans. The hold-up appears to stem from the representative-elect’s potential decisive vote on releasing the Epstein files. This unprecedented move, denying over 800,000 Arizonans representation, has led to a lawsuit and calls for the House to return to session immediately to fulfill its duties.
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During a press conference on November 5th, Pennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan interrupted House Speaker Mike Johnson, demanding action to end the then-record-breaking government shutdown. Houlahan urged Johnson to collaborate with both parties and find a solution. In response, Johnson accused Democrats of causing the shutdown, which Houlahan refuted, accusing him of misrepresenting the situation. The exchange highlighted the increasing partisan divide and the ongoing stalemate in budget negotiations.
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During a House GOP press conference, Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan interrupted Speaker Mike Johnson, urging him to negotiate with Democrats to end the ongoing government shutdown. Houlahan questioned Johnson’s willingness to engage with the opposing party to find a resolution. Johnson responded by stating he had previously attempted to bring both parties together before the shutdown. However, Houlahan disputed Johnson’s account of events, as the government continues to be shutdown.
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The current government shutdown has become the longest on record, surpassing the previous record, with no immediate resolution in sight. Speaker Mike Johnson’s strategy of sending the House into recess has placed the burden of action on the Senate, which has been unable to garner the necessary votes for the “clean” continuing resolution. The Speaker’s actions suggest a deliberate strategy to prolong the shutdown, potentially motivated by political considerations such as preventing the release of the Epstein files and consolidating power within the executive branch. This situation has positioned the country for a shift in government power, potentially diminishing the role of the people.
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John Q. Hosedrinker