Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, RSC Chairman Pfluger Blast Democrats for Shutdown on Exclusive New Media Call

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Republican Study Committee (RSC) today hosted an exclusive New Media Press Call with former RSC Chairmen Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, along with current RSC Chairman August Pfluger to expose the truth behind the Democrats’ government shutdown and the negative impacts it has had across the country. On the call, the three leaders called out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies for caving to the radical base of their party at the expense of the American people.

House Republicans passed a clean nonpartisan funding extension three weeks ago to keep the government open and continue paying our troops, federal law enforcement, air traffic controllers, and federal employees. House and Senate Democrats have voted eight times to keep the government closed, and we are now entering day ten of the Democrats’ radical shutdown. While the Left celebrates their political theater, Republicans stand united in fighting to reopen the government for the American people.

This is what they’re saying on X following the call:

Tim Young Show: ​​The @RepublicanStudy is hosting an exclusive New Media call led by @RepPfluger, @SpeakerJohnson, and @SteveScalise. 

They’re SLAMMING the Schumer Shutdown and radical Democrats holding the government hostage for insane, partisan demands:

“This shutdown is exposing the worst of the Left.”

Link Lauren, Megyn Kelly Network: “On a call with @SpeakerJohnson right now, organized by @RepublicanStudy. 

@SpeakerJohnson underscores the cold hard fact that Chuck Schumer is shutting down the government for political points. His Trump Derangement Syndrome has real repercussions for Americans who are missing paychecks. He says Democrat “radical fringe voices” are “leading Schumer around by a nose ring.” 

@SpeakerJohnson explains how Schumer is scared of “Marxist challengers from the left flank in New York.” This is the truth. Schumer is capitulating to a vocal minority in his party instead of standing on principles and funding the government, which he’s done for 40 years.

The Democrats have no identity right now, except TDS—while President Trump is brokering peace deals in the Middle East.”

Amber Jo Cooper, Daily Wire: HAPPENING NOW: On a call with new media, @RepublicanStudy Chair @RepPfluger says Republicans are united. 

He called out @SenSchumer who has led Dems seven times in voting against funding the government.

“He has voted to defund the military by doing that,” Pfluger said.

“We have voted to fund the military. Senate Republicans have voted seven times to fund the military - and it’s time that they [Dems] come to their senses and do the right thing…”

Chloe Trapanotto, Townhall: TODAY — On the call with @townhallcom @RepublicanStudy @SpeakerJohnson @SteveScalise @RepPfluger:

Republican Study Committee Members make it CLEAR that the GOP is united & Democrats are only keeping the government closed for political points.

Scalise: "[Dems] were hellbent on shutting the government down, no matter what, just to look like they were fighting Pres. Trump."

Rachel Reeves, @HereAretheHeadlines: “TODAY: On a private call today organized by @RepublicanStudy with @SpeakerJohnson @SteveScalise and @RepPfluger the Speaker told myself and other members of the media that the shutdown is a direct result of Schumer capitulating to the “Marxist flank” of the party and that this charade is “for his political survival.” 

He’s exactly correct and I agree with what Johnson ended with: “It is disgusting to us.”

Additional highlights from the call are below: 

RSC Chairman Pfluger on the Shutdown’s Impacts on Our Military: “Our commanders today, and quite frankly all of our personnel, are having to focus on whether or not they're going to be able to make ends meet. Those that are deployed—the stress that they already endure with deployments is now triple, quadruple...because now their spouses are at home, maybe with new babies, wondering if they're going to be able to put food on the table. If the men and women who serve our country cannot make ends meet, because of Democratic incompetence, then those leaders do not deserve to hold positions of power.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Democrats Making the Wrong Kind of History:"This is the first time in history a party has shut down the government over a clean CR. You all know, 24 pages in length of bare bones minimum and keep the lights on. And why is that? Because Republicans are working very hard to restore the regular order of Congress.”

Majority Leader Steve Scalise on Democrats Voting Against the CR: “Every Democrat, with exception of one, voted against paying our troops. Every Democrat voted against paying our border patrol agents, our TSA agents, every federal worker. The bill’s over in the Senate, you've seen now seven times they've had votes, and seven times Democrats joined Chuck Schumer blocking the ability for that bill to get the 60 needed. And we all know what the Senate rules are, and the Democrats know that. It's the cheapest political stunt that Chuck Schumer has pulled, strictly because he's scared to death of his political future, because he's hearing that AOC is going to run against him on the left, because he didn't fight Trump enough in March, and so now he's got to hold the entire American people hostage and it's a disgusting thing that he says every day is a better day for him.”