House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivered a pointed message to Democrats on Monday, warning that the ongoing partial government shutdown could soon become one of the longest in U.S. history if both chambers fail to reach an agreement.

“We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history unless Democrats drop their partisan demands and pass a clean, no-strings-attached budget to reopen the government and pay our federal workers,” Johnson said during a press conference at the Capitol.

The current partial shutdown entered its 13th day on Monday after Senate Democrats rejected a House-passed temporary funding bill intended to keep the government running through late November.

The measure, described as a “clean” continuing resolution, received strong support from House Republicans but failed in the Senate when all but three Democrats voted against it.

The proposal requires 60 votes to advance in the Senate, leaving Democrats responsible for supplying enough votes to end the stalemate.

According to House leaders, the bill would maintain current federal funding levels and prevent disruptions to essential services while broader budget negotiations continue.

Democrats, however, have pushed for additional spending provisions.

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Their counterproposal includes increased funding for social programs and an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits that are set to expire.

It also includes expanded healthcare coverage for illegal aliens, a measure that has drawn criticism from Republicans who say the proposal adds unnecessary costs during an already strained budget cycle.

Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Angus King (I-ME) have been the only members of the Democratic caucus to side with Republicans in an effort to reopen the government.

The impasse has left federal employees without pay for nearly two weeks and delayed several non-essential operations across agencies.

During Monday’s press conference, Johnson invoked comments made by former President Barack Obama during the 2013 shutdown, which lasted 16 days.

“There’s only one way out of this reckless and damaging shutdown, pass a budget that funds our government with no partisan strings attached. The American people don’t get to demand ransom in exchange for doing their job. Neither does Congress. They don’t get to hold our democracy or our economy hostage over a settled law. That’s not how our democracy is supposed to work. That’s why I won’t pay a ransom in exchange for reopening the government. I’ll always work with anyone of either party on ways to grow this economy, create new jobs and get our fiscal house in order for the long haul, but not under the shadow of these threats,” Obama said at the time.

Johnson read the line verbatim, pausing before clarifying, “What I just read was a direct quote. Those are not my words. They belong to President Barack Obama. He was speaking there in 2013 when our government was shut down for 16 days.”

As BARACK OBAMA said in 2013:
Members of Congress “don’t get to hold our democracy or our economy hostage over a settled law. That’s not how our democracy is supposed to work.”

That’s EXACTLY what DEMOCRATS are doing — holding the government hostage to FORCE backroom deals.… pic.twitter.com/u5MWHdjU7M

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 13, 2025

The Speaker’s remarks highlighted the growing frustration among House Republicans, who argue that Democrats are prolonging the shutdown for political leverage rather than pursuing a bipartisan resolution.

The current closure ranks as the fifth-longest in U.S. history, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The longest government shutdown lasted 35 days between December 2018 and January 2019.

The second-longest occurred under President Bill Clinton, lasting 21 days between December 1995 and January 1996. The third was the 2013 shutdown during the Obama administration.

Johnson said the House has already done its part by passing a seven-week temporary funding measure that would extend fiscal year 2025 spending levels through

November 21. The continuing resolution, or CR, would give lawmakers additional time to finalize a long-term spending agreement for fiscal year 2026, which began on October 1.

Republican leaders in both chambers have urged Democrats to accept the measure as a way to keep government operations running while budget discussions continue. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has not indicated whether he will bring the House bill to a vote.

As the shutdown nears the two-week mark, congressional aides say federal agencies are preparing contingency plans if the deadlock persists.

Economists warn that a prolonged closure could disrupt federal contract payments and delay small business loans.

Johnson concluded Monday’s remarks by reiterating his call for a bipartisan resolution.

“This is a moment for leadership and common sense,” he said.

“Federal workers and American taxpayers deserve better than political brinkmanship.”