Republicans are done playing games. And they’re tired of losing.
Now House Speaker Mike Johnson went scorched earth on Democrats in a fiery speech.
Johnson’s Rebuke of Democratic Tactics
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) lambasted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and her fellow Democrats for resorting to “publicity stunts” amid the ongoing government shutdown, emphasizing that Republicans remain laser-focused on substantive efforts.
“Instead of doing publicity stunts, like AOC likes to do, instead of making social media videos, Republicans are working,” Johnson said in a Thursday appearance on CNN’s “The Lead.”
“They’re in their districts doing very valuable work,” he said. “What are they doing? They’re trying to help their constituents navigate through this crisis that has been created by Democrats like AOC.”
He further accused her of fueling the impasse by opposing a House GOP-backed continuing resolution on Sept. 19, adding that representatives were aiding locals through a mess sparked by “Democrats like AOC.”
“She voted to stop services to the elderly and disabled and veterans,” he said. “That’s her vote record. And she’s trying to obscure that fact and blame Republicans.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s Counterattack and Ongoing Feud
At a CNN town hall Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez fired back at Republicans, claiming they shun basic dialogue and refuse to “pick up a phone to negotiate.”
“I have never seen people who hate working so much in my life,” she said. She zeroed in on Johnson for skipping routine talks with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
“Any day tht you don’t do that is a failure,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
The pair’s verbal sparring has intensified throughout the shutdown, with Johnson and key GOP figures alleging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is herding Democrats against the measure to safeguard his progressive flank from a potential Ocasio-Cortez primary bid.
Ocasio-Cortez dismissed rumors of her sway as “ridiculous,” “desperate” and “an insane suggestion.”
“They are all talk,” she said. “They are negotiating with Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic leadership, and Democrats are united to that end.”
Escalating Shutdown Standoff
Since the shutdown kicked off October 1, the Senate has rejected a continuing resolution nine times, prolonging disruptions.
To ramp up leverage on Senate Democrats, Johnson scrapped all House votes for the week and declared the chamber stays dark until the upper house approves funding.
Jeffries and Schumer are leading the Democratic charge in the battle, per Ocasio-Cortez, underscoring a unified front against GOP maneuvers.
