Johnson Exposes Schumer’s ‘Secret’ Offer to Re-Open Government

House Speaker Mike Johnson has pulled back the curtain on what he called a “smoke-filled backroom” offer from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer — a covert attempt to negotiate an end to the government shutdown outside of public view.

“Republicans cannot and will not solve it in a backroom deal,” Johnson said Tuesday at a Capitol Hill press conference alongside fellow GOP leaders. “Chuck Schumer has been suggesting that four leaders go into a smoke-filled backroom like in the old days and create this solution. It’s not a possible thing to do.”

The Speaker made it clear that transparency and accountability — not secret negotiations — would guide the GOP’s approach to reopening the government.

“It was never appropriate,” Johnson continued. “It’s not possible to put on a continuing resolution because it’s such a complex issue.”

Johnson reaffirmed that the House GOP’s stance is rooted in protecting the American taxpayer — not enabling another bloated spending spree. “As soon as Chuck Schumer reopens the government, all of our members will have an opportunity to engage in the very important discussion of how to make Obamacare affordable,” he added.

Democrats’ Demands Tied to $1.5 Trillion Spending Plan

At the heart of the standoff lies a Democrat-led demand for more Obamacare subsidies set to expire by year’s end — subsidies that are tied to a sprawling $1.5 trillion spending package. Republicans argue the bill would extend taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants through Medicaid and other federal programs.

Johnson condemned the tactic outright: “We won’t engage in Democrats’ hostage-taking, nor will we pay a ransom.”

Democrats’ refusal to support a clean continuing resolution, Republicans say, has prolonged the shutdown purely for political leverage.

President Trump: “They Have to Let the Country Open”

President Donald Trump weighed in Tuesday, stating that he’s willing to meet with Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — but only after Democrats agree to reopen the government.

“I would like to meet with both of them, but I set one little caveat,” the president said during a Diwali celebration at the White House, as reported by The Independent. “They have to let the country open. The people want to go back to work. They want to be served. They need the services of some people, and a lot of people need the money, the payroll, so I’ll do it as soon as they open up the country.”

The president’s message was clear: the path forward begins with Democrats ending their obstruction.

Trump also praised Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought for his fiscal discipline, jokingly comparing him to Darth Vader for cutting “all the things that they wanted” in Democrat-heavy states.

The GOP Holds the Line

Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed that bipartisan talks could resume “as soon as we reopen the government,” reinforcing that responsibility rests squarely with Democrats.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) acknowledged bipartisan cooperation was possible but said the administration must engage meaningfully. “The administration is going to have to sign off on it so that the House will ultimately sign off on it,” she told The Independent.

Democrats, however, have continued their attacks on President Trump. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) attempted to blame the president personally for the shutdown, saying, “He doesn’t know anything about [the art of the deal]… He owns this shutdown.”

But polling data tells a different story. CNN’s Harry Enten revealed Monday that Trump’s approval rating has risen during the shutdown — while a growing number of Americans are blaming Baldwin’s party for the stalemate.

The message is unmistakable: the public sees through the Democrats’ political theater.