House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will speak with reporters Thursday morning as the government shutdown persists into a record 37th day — and as Democrats gain ground in the standoff following key election wins.
Johnson has brushed off suggestions that the Democrats’ election sweep on Tuesday night is a harbinger of what’s to come in future contests.
High health insurance premiums, a lapse in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), military and federal worker pay and now a looming travel crisis amid staffing shortages at airports are putting more pressure on lawmakers to come to the negotiation table.
GOP leaders are also considering a fresh stopgap measure that would extend funding levels past the Nov. 21 deadline included in the House-passed bill. The Speaker said earlier this week that he favors a January cutoff over one in December.
The press conference is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST.
Watch the live video above.
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