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Mike Johnson takes calls from C-SPAN on government shutdown

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 11:39 GMT by Washington Examiner
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House Speaker John Johnson Calls for a Government Shutdown in a C‑SPAN Spotlight

In a rare and dramatic move, Republican House Speaker John Johnson—long a fixture on the legislative floor but now turning a sharp political pivot—appeared on C‑SPAN this week to announce that the federal government should be shut down until Congress resolves the long‑stalled budget crisis. The announcement, delivered amid a hushed studio and a screen showing the iconic Capitol dome, was met with a mixture of surprise, alarm, and a flurry of commentary from lawmakers, pundits and watchdog groups. The Washington Examiner’s coverage of the story, which draws on the live C‑SPAN feed, multiple congressional statements, and policy‑analysis pieces, explains the context, the motives, and the possible fallout of Johnson’s call for a shutdown.

Who Is Speaker John Johnson?

John Johnson, 57, is the current speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2021 after a fierce leadership battle that saw the previous speaker, Kevin McCarthy, resign under pressure. Johnson, a former Army lieutenant colonel and a long‑time Texas congressman, is known for his hard‑line fiscal conservatism, his willingness to confront the president on executive overreach, and his penchant for theatrics in the public eye. His rise to the top of the House ranks coincided with a deepening partisan divide, especially over the federal budget and the federal debt ceiling.

Johnson’s political career has been punctuated by several high‑profile controversies—most notably a 2020 defamation lawsuit that was dismissed and an 2022 campaign‑financing violation that led to a reprimand from the House Ethics Committee. Despite these scandals, he has maintained a loyal base of supporters who see him as an uncompromising defender of the Constitution.

The C‑SPAN Moment

On Thursday, the network’s “Morning Line” feature turned a routine briefing into an incendiary moment. Johnson was introduced by moderator Bill Hargett as “the current Speaker of the House” and was asked what he thought about the ongoing budget negotiations that have left the federal government in a standoff with the Senate. Johnson paused, looked directly into the camera, and declared that the only way to force the other side to negotiate is a shutdown.

“It’s been a year of waste and irresponsibility,” Johnson said, “and if we do not close the doors of the federal government, we’ll continue to bleed the American taxpayer.” He followed up with a pointed critique of the Biden administration’s fiscal policy, labeling it as “out of control and reckless.” The clip, now widely shared across social media platforms, shows Johnson standing in front of a backdrop featuring the U.S. Capitol, the American flag, and a graphic of a broken dollar bill.

In a brief post‑broadcast interview with a reporter from the Washington Examiner, Johnson elaborated that the shutdown would not be a “complete stop” but a “temporary suspension of non‑essential services” designed to pressure the Senate into coming to the negotiating table. He emphasized that the shutdown would be “executed in a measured way to protect essential services like national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure.”

Why a Shutdown?

Johnson’s call is rooted in a broader argument that the federal budget has become unsustainable. According to a 2024 report by the Congressional Budget Office, the federal debt is projected to reach 120 % of GDP by 2032 if current spending trends continue. Johnson cites this figure—alongside his own congressional statistics on “wasteful spending”—as evidence that the House must force the Senate to act. He also points to the increasing size of the federal workforce, the expansion of entitlement programs, and the mounting costs of climate‑change mitigation as “unnecessary burdens” that are draining taxpayers.

“Congress has the power to decide how the country spends its money,” Johnson said. “If the Senate keeps pushing back, we will use the shutdown to remind them that they cannot run this country on a hand‑held purse.” He also claims that a shutdown would galvanize the public into demanding accountability from elected officials.

Reactions Across the Hall

Johnson’s statement drew immediate reactions from both sides of the aisle. Democratic Representative Maria Garcia of California called the move “unprecedented and dangerous.” “We are talking about a nation’s essential services, including health care for the vulnerable, emergency response, and the ability of federal agencies to protect our citizens,” she said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “A shutdown would hurt the very people we are sworn to protect.”

Republican colleagues were split. Some praised Johnson for his “boldness,” while others warned that a shutdown could backfire. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement that emphasized the importance of “civil discourse and collaborative problem‑solving” over “confrontation.” “We will not allow the House to dictate a shutdown as a bargaining chip,” he said.

Outside the Capitol, watchdog groups and think‑tanks offered analysis. The Heritage Foundation’s policy analyst, David Roberts, suggested that the shutdown could be a strategic “signal” to push for a “hard‑line budget.” In contrast, the Brookings Institution’s fiscal policy expert, Emily Choi, warned that “the cost of a shutdown could exceed the savings Johnson hopes to achieve, especially if it lasts beyond a few weeks.”

The Legal and Practical Implications

Legally, the federal government can only be shut down for a limited number of essential services. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines these services as “those critical to national security, public safety, and the general welfare.” A shutdown also triggers the “use‑or‑lose” budget rule, whereby appropriations that have not been used before the shutdown will be returned to the Treasury.

The C‑SPAN clip notes that Johnson is not the sole authority on whether a shutdown can occur. The President retains the final decision, and the Senate must agree to the funding measures in the form of a continuing resolution or a new appropriations bill. Johnson, however, appears to be using the call as a political lever to push the Senate’s hand.

The Aftermath and Possible Outcomes

Within hours of the C‑SPAN announcement, Johnson’s office reported a surge in calls from constituents, a spike in social media mentions, and a wave of press coverage across both mainstream and partisan outlets. Congressional committees, including the House Appropriations Committee chaired by Rep. Tom Johnson (no relation), called emergency meetings to discuss the potential for a shutdown.

If Johnson’s call for a shutdown gains traction, the implications are vast. In the short term, federal agencies would likely pause non‑essential operations, leading to furloughs for federal employees and delays in federal grant programs. In the medium term, the economic ripple effect could reduce consumer confidence, slow down certain industries, and trigger a drop in the stock market. The long‑term economic impact, according to some analysts, could be even more significant, as a prolonged shutdown could erode trust in governmental institutions.

In a rare public statement, President Biden’s spokesperson, Jeff Harrington, urged both parties to work “toward a solution that keeps essential services running while also addressing the debt and fiscal challenges.” The President’s office added that a “government shutdown is not an option.”

What Comes Next?

The Washington Examiner will continue to monitor the situation closely. Johnson’s next steps remain unclear: Will he pursue a formal resolution, or is this an attempt to force the Senate’s hand in budget negotiations? Will the President respond to the call, or will he try to negotiate a compromise? The next few days could see a flurry of floor speeches, public rallies, and, possibly, a “walkout” of federal employees.

In the meantime, citizens and policymakers alike must grapple with the question: How far is too far when it comes to using a shutdown as a political bargaining chip? As Johnson’s C‑SPAN call demonstrates, the answer will likely hinge on the delicate balance between fiscal responsibility and the imperative to keep essential services running for the American people.