US shutdown may become longest in history – House Speaker Mike Johnson
US House Speaker Mike Johnson (photo: Getty Images)
House Speaker and Republican Mike Johnson will not hold talks with Democrats until they drop their key demand entirely, meaning the current shutdown could become the longest in the country's history, AP reports.
"We're barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history," Johnson said.
As for the Democrats' key demand, they insist on continuing subsidized medical care for citizens, while the Republicans are strongly opposed to this decision.
Johnson also thanked US President Donald Trump for ensuring that military personnel receive their salaries, thereby removing one of the main pressure points that could have pushed the parties to negotiate.
The Coast Guard is also receiving pay, a senior administration official confirmed on Monday. He insisted on anonymity to discuss plans that have not yet been officially announced.
The House of Representatives is currently not in session, and the Republican Speaker refuses to bring lawmakers back to Washington.
In the US Senate this week, the parties will try to pass a compromise resolution that would temporarily restore funding for federal agencies.
Shutdown in the United States
The upper chamber of the US Congress, on October 6, once again failed to pass a vote that could have ended the shutdown.
Due to the suspension of federal government operations, routine state operations in the US have halted, the Smithsonian museums and other major cultural institutions have closed, and airports are overcrowded amid flight disruptions.
As of October 1, 2025, the US federal government has been in a state of partial shutdown due to the lack of an approved budget. Because of this, there have been rumors about a possible suspension of US weapons supplies to Ukraine and other forms of support from Washington.
