Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican Congressman from Louisiana, took to the House floor on Day 16 of the government shutdown to deliver a fiery speech. He did not hold back in his criticism of the Democratic Party and specifically targeted two of its most prominent figures, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In his speech, Johnson blasted the Democrats for their handling of the government shutdown, which has now entered its third week. He accused them of playing politics and putting their own interests above those of the American people. He stated, “The Democrats have shown time and time again that they are more concerned with scoring political points than finding a solution to this shutdown.”
Johnson then turned his attention to Senator Sanders and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom have been vocal in their criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the shutdown. He called them out for their recent comments, saying, “Bernie Sanders and AOC have said the quiet parts out loud. They have made it clear that they are more interested in pushing their socialist agenda than in finding a compromise to end this shutdown.”
The Congressman was referring to Sanders’ recent statement where he said, “We will not negotiate on the wall, period.” He also mentioned Ocasio-Cortez’s tweet where she stated, “The President is holding the American people hostage over his vanity project.” Johnson argued that these statements show the Democrats’ unwillingness to negotiate and their disregard for the impact of the shutdown on the American people.
Johnson went on to highlight the hypocrisy of the Democrats, pointing out that many of them had previously supported border security measures, including funding for a border wall. He also reminded them that the shutdown was a result of their refusal to compromise on the issue of border security. He stated, “The Democrats are holding the government hostage over a border wall that they have previously supported. This is a clear case of political posturing at the expense of the American people.”
The Congressman also took the opportunity to commend President Trump for his efforts to find a solution to the shutdown. He praised the President for his willingness to negotiate and his commitment to securing the border. He stated, “President Trump has shown great leadership in trying to end this shutdown. He has been willing to negotiate and find a compromise, but the Democrats have refused to come to the table.”
Johnson’s speech was met with applause and support from his fellow Republicans, who share his frustration with the Democrats’ handling of the shutdown. However, his words also sparked a backlash from the Democratic side, with some accusing him of playing politics himself.
In response to the criticism, Johnson stood by his words and reiterated his call for the Democrats to put aside their political agendas and work towards finding a solution to the shutdown. He stated, “I stand by my words. The Democrats need to stop playing politics and start working for the American people. It’s time for them to come to the table and find a compromise.”
In conclusion, Speaker Mike Johnson’s speech on Day 16 of the government shutdown was a powerful and much-needed reminder of the impact of the shutdown on the American people. He called out the Democrats for their refusal to negotiate and their prioritization of their own political agendas. His words serve as a reminder that in times of crisis, it is important for politicians to put aside their differences and work towards finding a solution for the greater good of the country. Let us hope that his message is heard and that a compromise is reached soon to end this shutdown.



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