House Democrat crashes Speaker Johnson's press conference on government shutdown

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan on Wednesday crashed House Speaker Mike Johnson's press conference on the government shutdown, demanding to know whether he would meet with her party about ending the shutdown. 

The government shutdown became the longest on record late Tuesday, replacing the record set during the first Trump administration in 2018 and 2019. The current shutdown began Oct. 1.

"I'm asking a question if you're ready to have a conversation with the other side," Houlahan shouted at the Capitol, per Fox News. "You represent all of us. You are the speaker for all of us, sir."

Johnson initially attempted to ignore the Democrat by taking a question from a reporter, but then said, "I can't hear you because we have someone who doesn't respect the rights of their colleagues."

Houlahan again disrupted the press conference by accusing the speaker of lying to American voters about trying to end the shutdown. Republicans have claimed that Senate Democrats are to blame because the House passed a continuing resolution that would have funded the government through Nov. 21.

"You have an obligation not just to speak lies to the American people, you have an obligation to call the leadership of both parties and bring us together, and solve this problem together," Houlahan insisted.

Johnson responded that he already tried to reason with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer before the shutdown began by meeting them and President Donald Trump at the White House.

"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," Johnson said. "It is a clean, non-partisan CR that every Democrat, including you, voted no on." 

Johnson further accused Houlahan of regretting her vote, which she denied, and ended the exchange by accepting her input. 

The confrontation comes as the House remains on "district work week" mode. The House has not convened for a full session since September. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.