Mike Johnson May Want a Government Shutdown to Avoid Epstein Files Vote

"We're now five days from a government shutdown, with no negotiations between the two parties in sight. At one point, President Trump agreed to meet with Democratic congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, but then called the meeting off, saying their "unserious and ridiculous demands" meant it wouldn't accomplish anything. You'd still think that for the sake of appearances, the Republican leaders who control Congress would keep their troops in town in case of a last-minute deal to avoid a shutdown."

"Punchbowl News has the official GOP rationalization: Johnson doesn't want Republicans back in Washington next week with nothing to do. The House Republican leadership feels as if they've already done their job by passing a CR. Calling members back is a concession they have more work to do, GOP sources said. Okay, maybe. But there's another reason Johnson might want the House floor inactive in the days just ahead."

Five days remain before a potential government shutdown with no bipartisan negotiations underway. President Trump canceled a meeting with Democratic congressional leaders, calling their demands "unserious and ridiculous." House Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House in recess despite an approaching deadline. Republican leadership framed avoiding a return to Washington as justified after passing a continuing resolution. Adelita Grijalva won an Arizona special election, increasing the Democratic House membership to 214. Grijalva indicated she will sign a discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Three Republicans — Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Nancy Mace — already signed the petition. The bill would require the Justice Department to release all files on the scandal.

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