As the government shutdown enters its fifth week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is doubling down on his criticism of Democrat obstruction, warning that crucial programs serving low-income families are teetering on collapse because Democrats refuse to pass a simple funding bill.
In a Friday press release, Johnson said: "Important programs that millions of low-income parents, children, and seniors depend on — from grocery assistance to early education — are on the verge of collapse."
He emphasized that although House Republicans passed a "clean, non-partisan funding bill weeks ago ... Democrats continue to block it — admitting that the shutdown is one of the few times Democrats have 'leverage,' even if it means hurting American families."
Johnson specifically pointed to programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC), warning that tens of millions face benefit interruptions.
"SNAP beneficiaries are at risk of losing November benefits," his statement noted, "and food banks nationwide are already bracing for a surge as families prepare for their benefits to freeze."
He cited a memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stating its $5 billion contingency fund cannot be used for regular payments.
He also highlighted the looming danger to early childhood programs.
"Head Start programs are on the brink," serving 750,000 children and facing grant disruptions affecting nearly 65,000 kids at 140 programs.
Johnson pointed out that some Head Start centers, such as those in Tallahassee, Florida, have already closed after exhausting reserves.
Johnson painted a stark contrast: Republicans vote repeatedly to keep the government open and fund essential services; Democrats vote repeatedly to keep it closed.
"Republicans have voted 14 times to provide SNAP, military pay, veterans' health services, nutrition assistance for young women, the disabled, the elderly. We've done it 14 times," he said. "The Democrats have voted 14 times to block all of that."
He said the party of "leverage" appears willing to let households and classrooms suffer to advance its agenda.
According to multiple news outlets, the USDA memo dated Oct. 24 warned that the contingency fund cannot pay regular SNAP benefits, potentially halting food assistance for over 40 million Americans.
Some food bank officials warn the disruption could overwhelm nonprofit support systems already strained under shutdown conditions.
The legislative stalemate is worsening. Despite the House passing a clean continuing resolution earlier in September, the Senate has repeatedly rejected it — with Democrats blocking it on party‐line votes. Republicans accuse Democrats of weaponizing critical aid programs for political leverage.
"They knew this would leave families hungry and classrooms dark," he argued. His remarks also implicitly prefigure 2026 electoral messaging: Republicans standing for keeping the government open and families secure, Democrats standing for ideology over aid.
As the shutdown continues without resolution, federal agencies such as the USDA and early-education grants face dire consequences. Republican leadership increasingly points to the other party's unwillingness to break ranks as the root cause — not Republicans' refusal to act.
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