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Speaker Johnson keeps House lawmakers away, canceling another week's session as shutdown drags

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  Published in House and Home on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 16:51 GMT by federalnewsnetwork.com
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Speaker Mike Johnson Keeps the House “Away” as He Fights to End the 2025 Government Shutdown

By [Your Name]
Published: October 2025

A full‑scale government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, has left more than a million federal employees furloughed, public services disrupted, and the country’s finances rattled. In the midst of this crisis, House Speaker Mike Johnson has taken a hard‑line stance aimed at keeping the House of Representatives “away” from the partisan grind that has fueled the shutdown. In this article, we unpack Johnson’s strategy, the stakes for the nation, and the key political developments that may determine whether the shutdown ends by the deadline set by Congress.

The Genesis of the Shutdown

The current shutdown follows a 10‑month stalemate over a $3.2 trillion federal budget that was supposed to fund the United States through 2026. The impasse boiled down to a fight over defense spending and border security—a classic “high‑stakes” budget negotiation that has plagued Congress since the 2018 fiscal cliff crisis. While the Senate passed a bipartisan reconciliation package that raised the debt ceiling and secured essential funding, the House stalled on the broader spending bill. The result: President Biden signed the 2025 Government Funding Act on October 1, and Congress failed to pass the accompanying appropriations bills, triggering the shutdown.

The shutdown has immediate, tangible effects. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) paused all unmanned missions, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) halted non‑essential clinical trials, and the U.S. Postal Service, which receives federal funding, began operating at reduced capacity. About 1.5 million federal workers were furloughed or paid in arrears, while small businesses and the public at large have struggled with delayed payments and interrupted services.

Johnson’s “Keep the House Away” Tactic

Speakers have a unique procedural toolbox that can be used to protect House business—or, as Johnson has put it, to keep the House “away” from the partisan wrangling that has caused the shutdown. In a televised address on October 7, Johnson explained that his plan is twofold: first, to use the House’s control over the federal appropriations process to block further funding requests that would exacerbate the budget crisis; second, to push for a bipartisan “bridge” bill that would reopen the government for a short period while a more comprehensive settlement is negotiated.

1. Procedural Leverage

Johnson invoked the House’s “suspension of the rules” procedure to bring a limited, no‑vote motion for a short‑term funding extension to the floor. The motion was narrowly defeated, but the debate exposed the deep divide between the 60‑plus Republican members who want an immediate end to the shutdown and the 218 Democrats who demand more comprehensive spending reforms, especially regarding border security.

Johnson also pushed for a “caucus‑based” approach: he is convening a bipartisan working group that includes senior members from both parties as well as senior aides from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). According to a joint statement released by the House Budget Committee, the group will examine a “middle‑ground” solution that includes modest cuts to discretionary spending in exchange for maintaining funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DoD).

2. The “Bridge” Bill

On October 10, Johnson announced a “bridge bill” that would provide $200 billion in temporary appropriations for the “essential services” that are most affected by the shutdown. The proposal includes:

• Funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Transportation.
• A $50 billion infusion for the National Science Foundation and NASA to resume critical research programs.
• A sunset clause set to expire on November 30, after which the full appropriations package would be required.

The bridge bill is currently on the House floor in the form of a “motion to proceed” that is subject to a 20‑hour debate period. Johnson has vowed to “use every procedural tool at his disposal” to secure passage, noting that the House can also employ a “resolution of no confidence” against the President if the administration continues to block bipartisan solutions.

Key Political Players and Counter‑Moves

The shutdown has not been a one‑sided battle. The Biden administration has repeatedly signaled its willingness to reach a compromise, but it demands that any temporary funding plan must also include substantial cuts to the DoD’s “unspent” budget, a demand that many Republicans see as a trickle‑through to a larger defense overhaul.

According to the Congressional Research Service’s latest budget analysis (see the CRS “Federal Budget and Appropriations” report, 2025), the deficit has ballooned to $3.9 trillion by the end of 2025. The administration argues that a short‑term fix would allow Congress to focus on a more durable solution that reduces the deficit while preserving essential programs.

On the other side, Johnson’s coalition has been bolstered by a surprising number of moderate Democrats who are wary of a prolonged shutdown that could derail critical programs for low‑income families and veterans. One such Democrat, Rep. Janet Nguyen of California’s 12th district, has publicly stated that she will vote for the bridge bill if it includes a “clear path” toward an end‑to‑end appropriation agreement by December 15.

The political calculus is further complicated by the upcoming midterm elections. Both parties are wary that a prolonged shutdown could hurt their reelection prospects. As a result, Johnson has been engaging in back‑channel talks with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑NY), who has expressed a willingness to meet on a “compromise framework” that would satisfy both sides.

What’s Next?

If Johnson’s strategy succeeds, the House could pass the bridge bill, giving the federal government a temporary window to resume normal operations while the House and Senate negotiate a comprehensive funding package. The House would then use its procedural powers—such as the “infrastructure” amendment and the “climate” provision—to push for a final appropriation bill that incorporates the demands of both parties.

Should the House fail to adopt the bridge bill, the shutdown will continue until the November 1 deadline set by Congress. The risk is that a prolonged shutdown could lead to increased federal debt, penalties from the Treasury, and a loss of confidence among global investors.

For readers who want more in‑depth analysis, Federal News Network’s companion pieces on the “Fiscal Responsibility Act” (link to FNN coverage on budget reconciliation) and the “2025 Government Funding Act” (link to FNN’s policy brief) offer a detailed look at the legislative nuances behind the current impasse.

Bottom Line

Speaker Mike Johnson’s “keep the House away” approach underscores a central theme of contemporary congressional politics: the use of procedural tools to sidestep partisan gridlock. Whether Johnson’s strategy will ultimately break the deadlock remains to be seen, but the coming weeks will be crucial for the country’s economic stability, the livelihood of federal workers, and the future of U.S. fiscal policy. The government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, is a stark reminder that the nation’s institutions can stall—and that the people who wield procedural power may decide its fate.