US House speaker says lower chamber to remain closed until government shutdown ends

WASHINGTON

Speaker Mike Johnson said on Friday that the US House of Representatives will not reconvene in full until the government shutdown ends.

"Our members are out working diligently in their district, serving their constituents right now. We will come back here and get back to legislative to legislative session as soon as the Senate Democrats turn the lights back on. That's the fact. That’s where we are," Johnson told the reporters on day 10 of the government shutdown.

His remarks came a day after the US Senate again failed to advance funding bills to end the shutdown for the seventh time.

Separately, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that five more Democrat votes were needed to pass the House-passed Republican resolution.

"It's really time for the Senate Democrats to show a little courage and put the American people ahead of their far less activist base, they have a simple choice in front of them. Open up the government," Thune said.

Senate top Democrat leader 'checked out'

Asked if he has plans to meet with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Thune accused him of being “checked out” in the search for a resolution to end the shutdown.

"I don’t think this is going to happen – I think this is going to happen organically, with enough reasonable Senate Democrats who care enough about doing the right thing for their country, and not what’s in the best interest of their left-wing political chiefs, to come forward and help us find a solution, and those conversations continue," Thune said.

The government shutdown is now expected to extend into next week as the Senate is not scheduled to hold any votes until next Tuesday.

White House budget director Russell Vought said layoffs of federal workers "have begun" as the shutdown continues.

While a government shutdown does not automatically result in a full-blown economic crisis, it creates major disruptions for many aspects of American life, also adding to uncertainty around the state of the world's biggest economy.

Many federal employees have been furloughed, or forced to work without pay, while others will be placed on mandatory leave until a new budget is approved. Each federal agency has its own shutdown plan, determining which government employees are essential.

In previous shutdowns, employees were furloughed, not fired, and no government programs were ended. Democrats say such moves are likely illegal.