House Republicans Privately Expect Government Shutdown, And People Are Angry - Report

House Speaker Mike Johnson will be forced to choose between working with Democrats, or there will be a government shutdown, which House Republicans are leaning toward, Axios has reported.

Working with the enemy

Speaker Johnson could face ousting if he works with Democrats, just like it happened to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Considering Johson’s response to the bipartisan border deal bill, working with House Democrats is less likely.

House GOP is reportedly aware of the looming shutdown

The partial shutdown is expected on March 1, and it could last a couple of days, with one source, an unnamed Republican lawmaker, telling Axios, “People are predicting a shutdown even if it’s just for a few days.”

About to “blow up”

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The outlet reported that a subcommittee chair told another House Republican they could be “close to reaching a deal or it’s about to blow up.” The total shutdown will start on March 8 if there is no budget or stopgap by this date. Still, Johnson told reporters recently, “We think we’re going to meet the deadlines.”

Could House Democrats save Johnson?

Axios also reported that a moderate Democrat from New Jersey, Josh Gottheimer, presented a resolution that would keep Johnson’s speakership and prevent the shutdown. The resolution would sanction ousting votes from members of both parties.

Johnson will have to make up his mind until the end of April

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The House Speaker has time until April 30 to approve the new budget, and if the House fails, it will “trigger a 1% across-the-board spending cut.” Democrats reportedly will not support a stopgap after this date.

People are angered

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The report exploded on Reddit, where one person stated, “I hope this election, the Democrats take control back of the House because Republicans aren’t serious to governing.” Another asked, “So they had time to impeach Mayorkas but not to write a budget?”

Republicans are stuck

Another Reddit user shared, “The House Republicans really have shot themselves in the foot electorally (again) with this.” The same person explained, “If they don’t pass a spending bill, then the government shuts down and House Republicans get viewed as incompetent and inept. If they do, then apparently, they plan on re-doing the Speaker Circus that makes them look… incompetent and inept. There’s no victory for them.”

The obvious solution

The poster shared a solution but pointed out why this is less than likely to happen, “Of course, the obvious solution would be to pass a spending bill and not oust the speaker, but I don’t expect enough House Republicans to have the spine to do that.”

What about the deadlines?

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One Reddit user reminded, “Senate is in recess until the 26th, and the House until the 27th (Monday and Tuesday), I believe. Stop gaps are until March 1 and March 7, so they only have a few days when they return to do something about the first deadline.” Another was less than thrilled, “Stick a fork in it; this country is cooked.”

What will the voters say?

One Reddit user predicted, “Average voter: clearly this is the Democrats’ fault.” Another wondered, “Could Democrats beat this with a discharge petition?” In response, someone said, “That would require moderate GOP House members miraculously growing a spine.”

“MAGA is proving itself to be a cult”

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One person was upset, writing in part, “Time and again, MAGA is proving itself to be a cult that doesn’t even really care about forwarding conservative policy (or really any policy outside that which helps dear leader). They literally hate America.”

Good news, bad news

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One Reddit user cautioned, “Good news: Democrats will most likely win the House in November. Bad news: In the same election, they’ll probably lose the Senate.”

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