Press Releases

WASHINGTON — On Day 36 of the Democrat Shutdown, Speaker Johnson hosted a press conference alongside members of the sophomore class and House GOP Leadership to discuss how Democrats have handed the keys of their party to avowed socialists and leaders who fantasize about the death of their political opponents. Speaker Johnson also reminded Democrat Rep. Chrissy Houlahan – who embarrassingly tried to interrupt the press conference – that she voted against funding for SNAP and pay for US troops.

“We talk about Mamdani for two reasons. It's a bellwether because House Democrats, many of whom represent districts much less blue than New York City, have embraced him with open arms. And because his brand of Marxism is truly a bellwether for the Democrats nationwide,” Speaker Johnson said. “We’ve pointed out that other major metropolitan areas in the country are facing the same threat with candidates similar to Mamdani. And we are going to continue to call out their effort to mainstream and normalize socialism and Marxism in America.”

Today officially marks the longest shutdown in American history.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On Democrats embracing radical, Left-Wing candidates:

The new power center of the Left isn't the moderates; it's the AOC’s and the Bernie Sanders and the Mamdani’s of the party. It's the activists who believe capitalism is evil, who disdain the founding principles of their own country, that claim that the salvation of our nation will be brought about by bigger government and more bureaucracy. Look what happened in New York City last night. For the first time in American history, an avowed, openly proclaimed socialist has been elected as the mayor of America's largest city. Zohran Mamdani is without a doubt the biggest win for socialism in the history of the country. And it is the biggest loss for the American people.

He is truly a committed Marxist, and the results of that race tell you everything you need to know about where the Democrats and their party are headed. From the back bench to their leadership, Democrats have fallen in line behind the socialist candidates. Hakeem Jeffries, as you know, is the highest-ranking Democrat in the House. He gave his full blessing to Mamdani and his socialist agenda. Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish leader in America, flirted with endorsing Mamdani all the way to the bitter end. Never mind the fact that Zohran has embraced antisemitic rhetoric and promised to arrest the Prime Minister of Israel if he visits New York City again.

And then there's President Obama who called Mamdani over the weekend to extend his praise and act as a sounding board for the young socialist. You can't make this stuff up. The man who made health care unaffordable with his own socialist scheme is advising the man whose false promises will surely make life unlivable for millions of New Yorkers who cannot afford to flee the city.

On House Democrats owning the consequences of their embrace of socialism:

We talk about Mamdani for two reasons. It's a bellwether because House Democrats, many of whom represent districts much less blue than New York City, have embraced him with open arms. And because his brand of Marxism is truly a bellwether for the Democrats nationwide. We pointed out that other major metropolitan areas in the country are facing the same threat with candidates similar to Mamdani. And we are going to continue to call out their effort to mainstream and normalize socialism and Marxism in America. Working families watching this play out have a right to know that socialism and communism are not just confined in New York City.

They're quickly coming to a town near you, unless you stand up and let your voice of common sense be heard. While Democrats hitch their wagon to the socialist agenda, Republicans are going to continue to act in good faith on behalf of hardworking Americans, and we will remind a new generation of Americans about the painful and inescapable realities of history.

On Rep. Houlahan’s embarrassing press conference charade:

We went to the White House; we went and sat in front of the resolute desk. We brought Leader Jeffries and Leader Schumer in, and we had a discussion. The President said, please don't shut the government down. It would cause all this pain to the American people. This has never happened before. It's a clean, nonpartisan CR that every Democrat, including you, voted no on September 19. You voted to shut down the government. You voted to stop SNAP benefits. You voted to not pay the troops, not pay TSA, Border Patrol. You may regret it now, but that's your vote. And it's on the record. So, the President had them in and they didn't want to have a dialogue or debate. They thumbed their nose at him.