Democrats outplay GOP, embarrass House Speaker Mike Johnson with healthcare strategy
Speaker Mike Johnson and other House GOP leaders hold a press conference. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
December 19, 2025
Democrats outmaneuvered Republican leadership in the final weeks of the year, forcing votes that exposed GOP divisions and sidelined House Speaker Mike Johnson. Using discharge petitions, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pushed Democratic priorities, particularly healthcare, onto the floor, compelling moderate Republicans to break ranks. While Republicans ended the record shutdown and passed modest reforms, the GOP’s internal fractures were laid bare, leaving Johnson under fire and Democrats positioned to exploit party weaknesses ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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