Democratic Congresswoman Crashes Mike Johnson Press Conference | EUROtoday

WASHINGTON — A Democratic congresswoman interrupted a press convention by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday, demanding he discuss to Democrats to barter an finish to the longest authorities shutdown in U.S. historical past.

As Johnson ready to take questions from reporters in entrance of the House steps, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), shouting from behind a row of reporters, requested Johnson if he wanted a cellphone quantity for House Democratic chief Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.).

“We’re having a press conference, thank you,” Johnson stated, presumably not recognizing Houlahan was a member of Congress, since lawmakers don’t often shout from the reporter space.

“I am part of the American people,” Houlahan stated.

“Yes ma’am, and you should respect free speech.”

“YOU should respect free speech,” Houlahan responded. “I’m asking you a question, if you’re ready to have a conversation with the other side. …. You have an obligation to call the leadership of both parties and bring us together and solve this problem together, Mr. Speaker.”

A Capitol Police officer then tried to escort Houlahan away. She defined she was a member of Congress and confirmed her figuring out pin. She then stood there, shaking her head, whereas Johnson, who had discovered he was chatting with an elected Democrat, stated he’d already tried to convey the events collectively.

“We did that before the shutdown began. We went to the White House. We went and sat in front of the Resolute Desk. We brought Leader Jeffries and Leader Schumer in. And we had a discussion,” Johnson stated. “The president said, ‘Please don’t shut the government down. It would cause all this pain to the American people.’ … You voted to shut down the government. You voted to stop SNAP benefits. You voted to not pay the troops, not pay TSA, Border Patrol. You may regret it now, but that’s your vote and it’s on the record.”

Houlahan stated Johnson had misrepresented what occurred, although it’s true Democrats voted towards a fundamental authorities funding invoice as a result of it didn’t tackle medical health insurance subsidies which are expiring on the finish of the 12 months. The funding deadlock reveals no indicators of resolving quickly, at the same time as authorities workers proceed working with out pay and hundreds of thousands will see delayed and lowered meals advantages this month.

It’s not the primary apparently impromptu confrontation in the course of the shutdown. Last month Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) argued with Johnson in a public area exterior his workplace, and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) beefed with Jeffries exterior certainly one of his press conferences later that day. None of the confrontations has had any affect on the stalemate over authorities funding.