House Speaker Mike Johnson intensified the ongoing standoff in Washington this week, launching one of his sharpest attacks yet on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Johnson accused the two Democratic leaders of being “irredeemable” and unwilling to negotiate in good faith, declaring that he has “given up” on working with them to resolve the looming government funding crisis.
The Speaker’s comments, delivered in a series of fiery remarks to reporters, reveal growing frustration within Republican ranks as the House and Senate remain deadlocked over how to avert another government shutdown. Johnson said he sees little value in continuing discussions with Schumer or Jeffries, arguing that both have “painted themselves into a corner” politically by catering to their party’s left-wing base.
“There’s no point in me sitting down with Chuck Schumer,” Johnson said bluntly. “He’s made his choice, and it’s not about solving problems—it’s about protecting his political standing.” He also accused Hakeem Jeffries of obstructing progress in the House, describing both Democratic leaders as more interested in “partisan theatrics” than addressing the country’s fiscal challenges.
Johnson’s outburst comes amid intense behind-the-scenes talks over a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open. The current temporary funding measure is set to expire soon, and without a deal, parts of the government could shut down, disrupting federal services and pay for millions of workers. Republicans have been pushing for significant spending cuts and policy reforms, while Democrats are demanding a “clean” funding bill without partisan riders.
Rather than trying to reach consensus with Democratic leadership, Johnson said he plans to focus on appealing directly to moderate or centrist senators who might be open to compromise. “We’re trying to appeal to a handful of moderates or centrists who care more about the American people and will put the people’s interests over their own,” he said. “We need at least seven Democrats in the Senate to do the right thing.” His remarks suggest a calculated shift away from leadership-level negotiations toward a targeted effort to peel off individual Democratic votes.
Johnson also touched on internal divisions within the Democratic Party, suggesting that Schumer and Jeffries are constrained by rising progressive influence. He referenced New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani—a prominent left-wing figure—as emblematic of the pressure Schumer faces from activists and younger lawmakers. “I don’t think they’ll be able to tell Mamdani in New York and his disciples that they voted to open the government,” Johnson said, implying that Schumer risks backlash from his party’s base if he compromises with Republicans.
Democrats have strongly pushed back on Johnson’s comments, accusing him of attempting to deflect blame for Congress’s dysfunction. A spokesperson for Senator Schumer said the majority leader has consistently sought bipartisan cooperation, but that the House Republican caucus continues to advance “unrealistic and extreme” proposals that make consensus impossible. Jeffries echoed a similar message, saying that House Democrats are “ready to work with reasonable Republicans” but will not accept “right-wing ransom notes disguised as legislation.”
The funding dispute has become one of the biggest tests of Johnson’s leadership since he became Speaker a year ago, following Kevin McCarthy’s ouster. Johnson has struggled to balance the demands of hardline conservatives, who insist on major spending reductions and strict policy provisions, with the political realities of governing in a divided Congress. His critics say his confrontational rhetoric risks alienating the very moderates he needs to strike a deal.
Still, Johnson’s allies within the GOP argue that his tough stance reflects the frustration of voters who believe Washington is broken. They say Schumer and Jeffries have repeatedly refused to engage seriously on fiscal reform and that bypassing them may be the only way to achieve progress. “Speaker Johnson is standing up for the American taxpayer,” one Republican lawmaker said. “He’s not going to let Washington elites dictate terms while the country drowns in debt.”
Analysts, however, warn that Johnson’s strategy could backfire. By publicly dismissing Democratic leaders as “irredeemable,” he risks further poisoning the atmosphere in Washington and complicating efforts to reach even a temporary funding deal. Political observers note that government shutdowns tend to damage both parties but often hit the party in power—in this case, Republicans—harder.
With the clock ticking, both sides are under mounting pressure to find common ground. Yet, Johnson’s decision to “go around” Schumer and Jeffries underscores just how fractured the process has become. Whether this maneuver can break the impasse—or simply deepen partisan divisions—remains to be seen. For now, the Speaker appears determined to chart his own course, betting that public frustration with Washington gridlock will bolster his hand in the days ahead.
