Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, expressing frustration over House and Senate Democrats demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies to vote to reopen the government, stormed off the stage at the end of his Thursday press conference.

The Louisiana Republican lawmaker accused Democrats of playing “ridiculous political games” in their quest to halt impending massive increases in Obamacare premiums should the subsidies not be renewed. An estimated four to five million Americans are expected to lose healthcare without the subsidies, according to the BBC.

He told reporters that “there are debates and discussions happening on both sides of the aisle, but bringing everyone together and building consensus isn’t possible until we get the government operating again — until we stop,” he said, pausing in visible frustration.

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“I get very upset about that,” he said, interrupting himself.

“We stop holding the American people hostage for these ridiculous political games,” Johnson declared, speaking of Democrats demanding the subsidies as part of an agreement to reopen the government.

“People see what’s going on here. We should not have border patrol agents not paid right now because Chuck Schumer wants to pay political games to cover his tail,” he claimed.  “I don’t know how much more simply to say that,” he said angrily, “and every single one of you know that’s exactly what’s going on.”

“I don’t like being mad Mike,” he charged in frustration. I want to be happy Mike. I wanna be the Happy Warrior, but I am so upset about this.”

“God bless America.”

Mike Johnson: “I don’t like being mad Mike. I want to be happy Mike. I want to be the happy warrior. But I am so upset about all this. God bless America.” pic.twitter.com/IHVHatOx98

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 16, 2025

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The federal government shutdown — now in its 16th day — shows no clear path to ending. Some Republicans are signaling divisions within their ranks, while Democrats remain united in demanding the restoration of Affordable Care Act subsidies and exploring ways to reach that goal.

A bipartisan group of senators is discussing “potential off-ramps,” Punchbowl News reported on Thursday, focused on the Obamacare subsidies. Led by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the plan would be to hold two “side-by-side votes.”

The first bill would re-open the government, the second would include “a one-year extension of the Obamacare enhanced premium tax credits, plus a commitment to pass a longer-term solution by a date certain.”

Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune has stayed “on-message,” Punchbowl notes, but the “same can’t be said for Trump, who recently signaled he’d negotiate a health care deal with Democrats — without saying the government should re-open first.”

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Thune told MSNBC on Wednesday “that he has privately told Democratic leaders that, if they need a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies in exchange for opening the government, he’s willing to make that deal.”

“We can guarantee you get a vote by a date certain,” Thune said. “At some point, Democrats have to take ‘yes’ for an answer.”

But he also made clear he can’t guarantee the legislation to extend the subsidies would pass.

“Can I guarantee an outcome? No,” he told MSNBC.

“I can’t guarantee it’s going to pass,” he added. “I can guarantee you that there will be a process and you will get a vote.”

MSNBC also reported that “Democrats are showing little sign of cracking. In fact, Democrats seem to be digging in, particularly as Republicans sound increasingly dubious about extending the Obamacare subsidies.”

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Over in the House, Speaker Johnson has not budged, insisting lawmakers there have done their job by passing a continuing resolution. He has repeatedly said he will not bring to the floor any other legislation to open the government, even if it comes from the Senate.

As for the possible Senate compromise, it does not appear to look promising to at least some House Democrats either.

Speaking at a CNN town hall Wednesday night, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was very explicit.

Asked what she would need to see, what commitments, before she would vote to re-open the government, the New York Democrat said she needs to see something tangible on extending the subsidies.

“I think we need to see ink on paper,” Ocasio-Cortez insisted. “I think we need to see legislation.”

“I think we need to see votes, and I think we need to see these things pass on the floor of the House, and the Senate, and signed by President Trump.”

Emphasizing her point, AOC added, “I don’t accept IOUs.”

“I don’t accept pinky promises — that’s not the business that I’m in.”

Asked if she needs to see a signature on legislation from President Trump to re-open the government, Ocasio-Cortez replied: “Absolutely.”

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on what she needs to see before agreeing to reopen the government: “ink on paper” on a long-term extension of ACA subsidies. “I don’t accept IOUs. I don’t accept pinky promises. That’s not the business that I’m in.” pic.twitter.com/XlknAHIqeO

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 16, 2025

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Republican Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have agreed to a joint debate, following Jeffries’ proposal nearly two weeks ago to address the federal government shutdown.

“I write to challenge you to a debate on the Floor of the House of Representatives any day this week in primetime, broadcast live to the American people,” Leader Jeffries wrote in a letter on October 6. “Democrats have been clear and consistent in our position. The country needs immediate, bipartisan negotiations between the White House and congressional leadership in order to reach an enlightened spending agreement that reopens the government, improves the lives of hardworking American taxpayers and addresses the Republican healthcare crisis.”

Johnson subsequently declined to debate, according to The Hill.

But asked last week about debating Jeffries, Johnson said: “Hakeem, let’s sit down together, OK?”

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Jeffries on Tuesday agreed, telling reporters, “I look forward to that,” according to The Hill.

C-SPAN made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that both Johnson and Jeffries “have publicly agreed to appear jointly on C-SPAN’s Ceasefire program, hosted by POLITICO’s Dasha Burns.”

“We look forward to providing a forum for a smart, civil, respectful exchange of ideas between both leaders,” C-SPAN noted, saying it is “currently working with both offices on scheduling.”

On Wednesday, Johnson said he would debate Leader Jeffries, “anywhere, anytime,” before quickly pulling back.

“I’ll debate Hakeem Jeffries anywhere, anytime—as soon as we get the government open,” Johnson told Fox News, before attacking the Democrat for “engaging in political theater, and stating absurd things.”

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Johnson then went on to blast the Democrats for, he claimed, voting to “shut the government down.”

“The Republicans in Congress, House and Senate, have voted to open the government, and nine times, Democrats in Congress have voted to close it, all but one,” he said before targeting the Democratic Leader.

“Hakeem Jeffries led the effort in the House.”

“I am so frustrated by this. We all are.”

Smith: You have agreed to a debate with Jeffries on CSPAN?

Speaker Johnson: I will debate Hakeem Jeffries anytime as soon as we get the government open. pic.twitter.com/XFDrryZk4S

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 15, 2025

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Image via Reuters