On Day 21 of the federal government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., continued to call out Senate Democrats for prioritizing political survival over the needs of the American people.
The shutdown, now approaching its third week, began after Senate Democrats blocked a House Republican bill that would have kept the government open.
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Two Democrats—Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada—broke ranks alongside Independent Sen. Angus King to vote in favor of funding.
Johnson pointed to newly reported remarks from anonymous Democratic insiders revealing deep fear within their ranks. One senator told The Hill, “People are going to get hammered if they vote for the House-passed bill to reopen the government.”
Another insider likened the situation to the French Revolution, stating there would be enough Democratic support to reopen the government “if people were not terrified of getting the guillotine.”
Johnson emphasized that this fear of their far-left base is what continues to prevent the Senate from ending the shutdown.
“Do not be distracted,” Johnson told reporters during a press conference on October 21. “The American people would have an open government if Democrats were not terrified of their radical base.”
The shutdown has led to immediate and severe consequences for Americans across the country. Federal employees, including members of the military, continue to work without pay, while thousands of other federal workers have been furloughed entirely.
Air travel has been disrupted nationwide. NBC News reported that 53% of flight delays are now attributed to air traffic control staffing shortages, compared to the usual 5%. This has left travelers facing significant disruptions.
In Colorado, food banks are experiencing a growing crisis, as Sky High News detailed. Yet Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have voted repeatedly to keep the government closed, leaving families in need without support.
Virginia faces similar struggles. Veterans’ medical care is being disrupted due to the shutdown. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have repeatedly voted to maintain the closure, forcing delays in vital health services.
Hawaii seniors relying on telehealth services have also been impacted. Senators Brian Shatz and Mazie Hirono have continued voting to block reopening, leaving vulnerable populations without essential care.
California sees widespread consequences as well. ABC7 News reported that Alameda food banks are stepping in to support TSA workers and their families. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff have repeatedly voted to prolong the shutdown, directly affecting working families.
In Illinois, federal courts have reduced operations due to lack of funding, according to WIFR. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth have consistently voted to maintain the closure, further delaying justice for citizens.
Johnson framed these actions as evidence that Democrats have abandoned principle for politics. “Democrats used to care about the harm shutdowns caused hardworking Americans,” he said. “Now it’s all about politics, not principle.”
The speaker also reiterated criticisms of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accusing him of initiating the shutdown for partisan advantage. Johnson suggested Schumer is motivated by fear of changing political winds in New York, including the potential election of a Marxist mayor in New York City.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee has continued its bipartisan investigation into the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting stark contrasts with the Democrats’ inaction on key issues. Johnson and Oversight Chairman James Comer emphasized the extensive document release, which now includes 43,000 pages of DOJ and Epstein Estate records.
The committee has also subpoenaed and received deposition transcripts from key figures, including former Attorney General Bill Barr and former Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. These records detail financial logs, travel records, and personal schedules of Epstein, shedding light on previously concealed activity.
Johnson criticized Democrats for suddenly politicizing the Epstein files despite ignoring them for four years under the Biden administration. He described their outrage as opportunistic rather than principled.
“Some Democrats, and even a few Republicans, have tried to make this a political issue rather than focus on justice for the victims,” Johnson said. “That is shameful.”
A late-night disturbance at a popular Las Vegas casino ended with a woman being physically removed from the property after a confrontation with police officers escalated into a brief physical altercation.
According to witnesses, the woman — described as white, in her 40s, and dressed in upscale evening wear — had been causing a scene near the high-limit tables after reportedly being asked to leave the area by casino staff.
“She was clearly upset, raising her voice, and saying something about how she didn’t do anything wrong,” said one bystander. “Staff tried to talk to her calmly, but it just kept getting louder.”
Security eventually called the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for assistance. Officers arrived shortly after and attempted to de-escalate the situation, but tensions quickly rose when the woman allegedly became confrontational.
In body camera footage reviewed by internal investigators (but not yet released to the public), the woman can be heard saying she “felt like punching a cop,” moments before stepping aggressively toward one of the responding officers.
The officer responded by pushing her back with an open hand to the upper chest area to maintain distance. That’s when the woman began yelling that she had been “physically assaulted” and “abused by law enforcement.”
“She was yelling that she had been shoved, and she was demanding to speak to a supervisor,” another witness said. “It all happened really fast, but it definitely got physical — though not in the way she was making it seem.”
No injuries were reported, and the woman was not arrested, but she was issued a trespass citation and escorted off the premises. She continued to protest loudly as she left, insisting she had done nothing wrong and vowing to “take this public.”
Police later confirmed the use of force was minimal and within department policy, describing the officer’s actions as a “standard defensive maneuver” used to create space during a tense interaction.
The casino declined to comment on the incident, citing privacy concerns.