House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed on Tuesday that Democrats are demanding billions in wasteful and ideological spending, including $3.9 million for LGBTQI+ democracy grants in the Western Balkans, as part of their conditions to reopen the government.
Speaking on the 14th day of what he called the Democrat government shutdown, Johnson said the American people are suffering because Democrats have chosen politics over responsibility.
“Welcome to day 14 of the Democrat government shutdown,” Johnson said during his press briefing. “It’s two weeks of Democrats in Congress inflicting untold pain on the American people for nothing other than pure politics.”
Johnson explained that House Republicans had already offered a clean continuing resolution to keep the government funded, but Democrats repeatedly rejected it.
Instead, he said, Democrats are tying unrelated left-wing priorities to essential government operations in an attempt to strong-arm Republicans into approving radical spending measures.
He accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of catering to what he described as the party’s “Marxist base.”
The Speaker laid out details from the Democrats’ counterproposal, calling it a $1.5 trillion wish list of reckless spending that would send taxpayer money to liberal causes and foreign projects that have nothing to do with running the U.S. government.
Among the examples he cited were $24.6 million for climate resilience programs in Honduras.
Another $13.4 million would go to civic engagement programs in Zimbabwe.
An additional $2.9 million is earmarked for desert locust risk reduction in the Horn of Africa.
The Democrats’ plan also calls for $2 million to fund “organizing for feminist democratic principles” in Africa, according to Johnson.
Johnson highlighted the $3.9 million in LGBTQI+ democracy grants for the Western Balkans as an example of Democrats’ misplaced priorities.
“They want to spend 3.9 million of your hard-earned dollars for LGBTQI+ democracy grants in the Western Balkans,” Johnson said. “We are not doing that.”
He argued that Democrats are also trying to undo common-sense reforms enacted by Republicans that prevent illegal immigrants from accessing taxpayer-funded healthcare.
“This is a fact,” he said. “They would add illegal aliens and non-citizens back to taxpayer-funded benefits. It would cost taxpayers nearly $200 billion.”
Johnson further warned that Democrats want to roll back modest work requirements placed on able-bodied young men without dependents.
At the same time, Democrats are pushing to make COVID-era Obamacare subsidies permanent, with no income limits or meaningful reforms.
Johnson said this approach would not only punish working Americans but also reward dependency and mismanagement.
The Speaker accused Democrats of prioritizing ideological projects over the immediate needs of the American people.
He said their proposal exposes how out of touch the party has become, highlighting spending for causes abroad while Americans face uncertainty at home.
“This is not about keeping the lights on,” Johnson said. “This is about Democrats trying to use the shutdown as leverage to fund their far-left agenda.”
Johnson reminded reporters that Republicans have already passed legislation to reopen the government responsibly, without any of the unrelated political riders Democrats insist on including.
The Republican plan, he said, would maintain government operations, protect taxpayers, and prevent wasteful spending abroad.
Johnson also pointed out that the Democrats’ proposal would restore funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, sending a half-billion dollars to what he described as liberal media outlets that have long benefited from taxpayer subsidies.
He described it as another example of Democrats using government funding to reward their political allies rather than serving the public good.
“These are not the priorities of the American people,” Johnson said firmly. “They are the priorities of a radical political class that has forgotten who they work for.”
The Speaker ended his remarks by calling on Democrats to stop the political games and join Republicans in reopening the government immediately.
“We have a clean bill ready to go,” he said. “It keeps the government open, pays our troops, secures the border, and protects hardworking taxpayers. Democrats need to stop holding America hostage.”
Johnson’s comments reflect growing frustration among House Republicans who say Democrats are using the shutdown to push through spending on social experiments, foreign projects, and activist groups under the guise of government funding.
He warned that such spending will only deepen America’s fiscal crisis and fuel public anger toward Washington’s political class.
“This is a moment for leadership,” Johnson concluded. “It’s time to put the American people first and end this shutdown—not by giving in to woke demands, but by standing firm for fiscal sanity and common sense.”
A Summer Lesson in Caution
It was a perfect summer afternoon—blue skies, a breeze, and a picnic blanket spread while the kids played nearby.
Our daughter wandered toward a tall tree and called out, “Mom, Dad, come see! This tree has stripes—it’s so pretty!”
As she reached for the trunk, my husband quickly pulled her hand back. That’s when we realized the “stripes”
weren’t bark at all—they were clusters of caterpillars camouflaged against the tree.
Later, we learned they were Lonomia caterpillars, an insect capable of causing serious health risks if touched.
Thankfully, we avoided contact and alerted environmental authorities, who safely removed them and placed warning signs for others.
The incident became an important reminder: nature is full of beauty, but also hidden dangers. What looks harmless
or fascinating can sometimes be risky. Since then, we’ve taught our children—and friends—that if you see unusual
insects or patterns in nature, admire them from a distance and call the experts.
That afternoon reinforced a simple truth: wonder and caution should go hand in hand. With awareness and respect,
we can safely enjoy the outdoors while protecting ourselves and others.
Lonomia obliqua is a species of caterpillar that is native to South America, including Brazil. It is commonly found in the state of Paraná but can also be found in other regions such as São Paulo and Minas Gerais. In Brasilia the caterpillar was found for the first time in Lago Sul and has now spread all over Brasilia.
This caterpillar is known for its venomous spines, which can cause severe bleeding and even death in humans if not treated properly.
Recognizing Lonomia obliqua can be challenging because it closely resembles other species of caterpillars. However, there are a few key characteristics that can help with identification. First, Lonomia obliqua has a distinctive coloration, with a green or brown body and a yellow head. The body is also covered in small, black spines.
Secondly, the caterpillar can be found in big clusters on trees trunks or scrubs during the day and feed on leaves of the host tree during the night.
Another way to recognize Lonomia obliqua is by its size and shape. The caterpillar is relatively large, measuring up to 7 cm in length. It is also relatively thick and cylindrical in shape.
It’s important to note that Lonomia obliqua caterpillars are not only venomous but also very active. They are known to move around frequently and can be found in a variety of environments, including forests and gardens. They are also known to be attracted to light, so they may be found near outdoor lights at night.
If you come into contact with a Lonomia obliqua caterpillar, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. The venom can cause severe bleeding, and in some cases, can lead to death. Symptoms to watch for include severe pain and swelling at the site of the sting, as well as bleeding from the nose, mouth, and other body parts, followed by systemic symptoms such as headache, fever, vomiting, and malaise.
In order to avoid contact with Lonomia obliqua, it is important to be aware of the types of plants and trees that are commonly found in their habitat. Also, when working in an area where they might be present, it is a good idea to wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin from the venomous spines.
In conclusion, Lonomia obliqua is a venomous caterpillar that is native to South America, including Brazil.
Recognizing Lonomia obliqua can be challenging, but knowing its distinctive coloration, size and shape, and behavior can help identify it. If you come into contact with one, it is important to seek medical attention immediately and to take precautions to avoid contact with them.