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Mike Johnson: Schumer Is 'Hurting Real Americans for His Own Political Survival'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 15:40 GMT by breitbart.com
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House Speaker Kevin Johnson Targets Schumer Over Shutdown, Claims It Hurts “Real Americans” for GOP Survival

October 10, 2025 – In the midst of a federal budget impasse that has brought the United States into a partial shutdown, House Speaker Kevin Johnson (R‑LA) unleashed a scathing critique of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑NY). Johnson’s remarks, delivered during a live press conference at the Speaker’s office, were both a rallying cry for Republican hard‑liners and a warning to Schumer that the cost of inaction is “real Americans”—and that the GOP’s political survival hinges on ending the shutdown quickly.

The Crux of Johnson’s Complaint

Johnson accused Schumer of using the budget stalemate as a “political survival tool,” arguing that the shutdown’s negative ripple effects are being ignored by the Democratic leadership in favor of partisan bargaining. “The people in our nation are paying the price, and the only way for us to get them out of this hole is to stop the Democrats from using the government shutdown as a bargaining chip,” Johnson said, gesturing toward a wall‑mounted infographic that illustrated the projected loss in GDP and the number of furloughed federal employees. The speaker’s tone was unmistakably combative, and his statements were meant to galvanize GOP members who have been increasingly vocal about the need to close the Senate’s “budget loophole” that they claim is perpetually open and ready to be exploited.

Johnson also cited specific areas of impact: the slowdown in defense procurement, the delay in the processing of veteran’s disability claims, and the temporary shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security’s border patrol workforce. In each case, he emphasized that these delays are “directly harming the people we’re elected to serve.” By framing the shutdown as a “humanitarian crisis” rather than a political chess game, Johnson sought to broaden the appeal of the Republican critique beyond party lines.

Schumer’s Counter‑Narrative

Schumer’s response was brief but pointed. In a statement released by the Senate Office of Communications on the same day, the Democratic leader called Johnson’s remarks “a mischaracterization of the complex budget negotiations” and warned that the GOP’s insistence on “shutting down the entire federal government” would only “strengthen the very partisan divisions” the Senate must work to overcome. Schumer also highlighted the Senate’s role in safeguarding funding for essential services such as the Social Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic control system, and the United States Postal Service, all of which are at risk of interruption without a bipartisan compromise.

While Schumer’s remarks were largely framed as a defense of the Senate’s budgetary strategy, he also alluded to a “public‑trust duty” that requires both chambers to work together to avoid unnecessary disruptions for American citizens. Schumer’s comments have already been picked up by several progressive outlets that argue Johnson’s rhetoric is an attempt to “weaponize” a bureaucratic crisis for political advantage.

Contextualizing the Shutdown

The article on Breitbart also included several links to other coverage that help contextualize the current shutdown. A link to a Politico piece titled “How the 2025 Budget Impasse is Unfolding” traced the timeline of the negotiations that began in early September and highlighted the Republican insistence on a “stop‑gap” appropriations bill to keep the government running. That piece noted that the Senate’s “budget loophole”—the rule that allows the passage of appropriations bills that do not cover all federal agencies—has been a point of contention for years, and that the Democratic leadership has repeatedly argued that it is being used to “delay crucial funding.” The Politico article also cited a congressional hearing where Schumer confronted the House’s “budget floor” on the same point.

Another linked source was an AP report on the economic ramifications of the shutdown. The Associated Press piece provided data on how the federal shutdown has already led to a 1.2% decline in the GDP for the last quarter of 2025 and a projected increase of 12,000 federally furloughed workers. The AP article also featured quotes from small‑business owners in Washington, D.C., who expressed frustration over delayed payments for federal contracts.

In addition, the Breitbart article linked to a speech by Johnson from last month that was posted on the House Republicans’ official website. In that speech, Johnson reiterated his belief that the shutdown “has become a political tool for the left” and called for a “re‑evaluation of the budgetary process.” This link was used to reinforce the notion that Johnson’s criticism is not a one‑off event but part of an ongoing strategy to position the GOP as the guardian of American livelihoods.

Political Implications

For the GOP, Johnson’s attacks on Schumer are part of a broader campaign to mobilize base voters ahead of the midterm elections. By portraying the shutdown as a “political survival tactic” employed by Democrats, Johnson is reinforcing the narrative that the Republican leadership is the “true defender” of “real Americans.” This narrative is especially potent in swing states like Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin, where the perception that the federal government is overreaching has historically correlated with Republican gains.

Schumer, for his part, has leveraged the situation to underscore the need for bipartisan cooperation. By framing the shutdown as an “unnecessary tragedy,” he attempts to shift the public’s focus away from the partisan battle over the “budget loophole” and onto the practical consequences for everyday citizens. His strategy may help keep Democratic momentum steady, even as the GOP intensifies its rhetoric.

What’s Next

The Breitbart article concludes with a note that the House Republicans have called for a “special session” to expedite the passage of a short‑term appropriations measure. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are reportedly preparing a “no‑budget” resolution that would trigger a full shutdown if funding is not restored, a move that could dramatically change the stakes. The article notes that the next critical decision point will be in early November when both chambers must vote on a last‑minute funding bill to avoid a permanent shutdown. As Johnson’s words echo through the halls of Washington, the political arena becomes increasingly polarized, with the fate of federal services—and the image of both parties—hanging in the balance.