House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats for what he called their role in creating the current healthcare crisis and for using it to justify demands for over a trillion dollars in new spending to reopen the government. He argued that much of the requested funding would extend subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums.

The government has been shut down for more than five weeks, and Johnson blamed Democrats for blocking a “clean” continuing resolution that Republicans say would reopen federal operations. While the measure passed the House with GOP support, it has stalled in the Senate due to the 60-vote requirement to overcome a filibuster.

According to Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer instructed Democrats to oppose the bill until it included renewed funding for ACA subsidies set to expire soon. Republican leaders have said they are open to negotiating those subsidies but insist Democrats first vote to reopen the government under the current spending plan.

At a press conference, Johnson accused Democrats of passing the Affordable Care Act without bipartisan support during President Barack Obama’s first term. He claimed that the law raised costs for taxpayers and insurance holders rather than reducing them.

Johnson also argued that Democrats prefer to expand subsidies instead of reforming the healthcare system, saying this approach benefits insurance companies and drives prices higher. He asserted that Republicans are focused on lowering costs, improving access and quality, and cutting fraud and waste.

Highlighting GOP efforts, Johnson said millions of ineligible enrollees have been removed from programs like Medicaid, which he believes strengthens the system for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women. He dismissed claims that the shutdown is about healthcare, calling it a false narrative.