Democrat interrupts GOP shutdown press conference in heated exchange

GOP leaders’ every day authorities shutdown information convention within the Home of Representatives briefly descended into chaos Wednesday when a Democratic lawmaker interrupted the occasion.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., a average Democrat, shared a heated trade with Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., after slamming his feedback exterior the U.S. Capitol whereas demanding he meet together with her caucus to finish the shutdown.

Johnson informed her, “It’s a must to respect freedom of speech,” to which Houlahan replied, “It’s a must to respect freedom of speech.”

“I am asking when you’re prepared to speak to the opposite aspect,” Houlahan shouted from the place reporters had gathered on the information convention. “You characterize all of us. You’re the speaker for all of us, sir.”

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Democrat Chrissy Houlahan (proper) crashed Speaker Mike Johnson’s every day information convention on the federal government shutdown on November 5, 2025 (Tom Brenner/Getty Photos; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Photos)

Johnson tried to reply a reporter’s query however informed them, “I am unable to hear you as a result of we now have somebody who would not respect the rights of his colleagues.”

In the meantime, Houlahan continued to shout over the loudspeaker at the same time as he tried to name order.

“Not solely do you will have an obligation to talk lies to the American folks, you will have an obligation to convene the management of each events and produce us collectively and resolve this drawback collectively,” she shouted.

Home GOP convention chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., cracked again: “You may have an obligation!”

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‘We did that earlier than the shutdown began. I went to the White Home. We sat down in entrance of the Resolute Desk. We introduced [House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.] got here in and we had a dialogue,” Johnson responded.

“The president stated, ‘Please do not shut the federal government, that might damage the American folks lots.’ This has by no means occurred earlier than. It’s a clear, nonpartisan CR that each Democrat, together with you, voted towards,” he stated.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., is interrupted by Capitol Police as he questions Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., throughout a Home Republican press convention on the federal government shutdown on the steps of the Home of Representatives on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Nov. 5, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Photos)

Houlahan shot again: “You might be completely misrepresenting historical past, sir, and it, and you might be unnecessarily dividing the American folks.”

The 2 continued to speak about one another, with Johnson accusing Houlahan of “regretting” her vote.

“No sir, I do not remorse something. It is essential that we work collectively and unite,” she replied.

Johnson stated, “I respect your enter. Now somebody can ask me an actual query.’

“I respect you too,” she completed.

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Tensions are operating excessive on day 36 of the federal government shutdown, now the longest standoff in American historical past.

It was Johnson’s first shutdown press convention after Tuesday night time’s landslide victories for Democrats within the elections in Virginia, New Jersey and New York Metropolis.

Republicans had anticipated Democrats’ resolve to weaken over an absence of funding for meals help packages and paychecks for air site visitors controllers, however Tuesday night time’s victories additionally seem to have emboldened some on the left.

The federal government is in a shutdown after Congress failed to achieve an settlement on federal funding. (Getty Photos)

The Home of Representatives handed a short-term federal financing invoice on September 19, supposed to present lawmakers till November 21 to achieve an settlement on spending ranges for the 2026 fiscal 12 months.

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However it’ll take not less than some Democrats to advance the laws within the Senate, the place it has failed 14 occasions over the left’s demand that any funding deal include an extension of the COVID-19 pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies, that are set to run out on the finish of this 12 months.

Republicans have argued that federal funding and well being care are points that needs to be checked out individually.