Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has desperately sought new ways to blame Democrats for the shutdown, despite Republicans holding every branch of government and both houses of Congress. On Friday, during his morning press conference, he took a new approach.
Speaking to reporters, Johnson accused Democrats of leaving Washington, D.C., after being there for the past several weeks.
"Where are the Democrats? The Democrats have skipped town. They have abandoned their post," said Johnson.
It prompted laughter because Johnson had specifically told his own party member in the House to stay home and not return to Washington several weeks ago. The double standard wasn't lost on politicos.
"He's talking here about the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans," said Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News, assuming Johnson couldn't possibly be talking about the House since they've been out for over a month.
Punchbowl's co-founder John Bresnahan said, "The House hasn’t voted since Sept. 19."
"It's hard to immediately think of a less qualified person who was given this much power and accomplished so little with it," commented conspiracy theory expert and reporter Mike Rothschild.
One individual noted that the speaker sets the House's schedule.
"Didn’t he *JUST* say that members are doing the “most important work of their lives” back home???" asked HRC press secretary Brandon Wolf.
If I had 730 days of a trifecta, I probably would be in session trying to set up other stuff, but Congress has been busy ceding its constitutional authority over taxing and spending to the executive, and it must be exhausting," said Brendan Duke, a former member of Joe Biden's National Economic Council.
"Quick truth for you… yesterday 15 Republican Senators joined all 47 Democrat Senators on legislation to extend SNAP benefits during the shutdown but what happened… @LeaderJohnThune sent ALL the Republican Senators home!" said Army vet Skyleigh Uhrich.
Democratic Rep. Don Breyer (VA) was furious, "Insanely dishonest. Democrats have been here, ready to work. Republicans have total control of government and are doing nothing. Speaker Johnson kept the House in recess for six weeks — that was his decision and he should stop blaming others for it. Stop lying and do your job."
