The Josh Lafazan Show on YouTube - Episode 189

House Democrats TO OPPOSE Gov Shutdown Deal | Will Mike Johnson & Trump HAVE ENOUGH VOTES To Pass?

After seven long weeks of a government shutdown that’s cost billions, hurt millions, and thrown Washington into chaos, the Senate has finally passed a deal to reopen the government.
But House Democrats are saying “NO.”

They’re refusing to bail out Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, and the Republican Party that caused this crisis in the first place.
The question now:
👉 Can Speaker Mike Johnson even get the votes to pass this deal in the House?
👉 Or will Democrats force the GOP to finally own their chaos?

Let’s unpack the political showdown shaking the Capitol 👇

🏛️ STORY #1 — House Democrats Say: “NO DEAL”

After weeks of shutdown pain, the Senate voted to advance a short-term funding bill — a “CR” — keeping the government open through January 30th.
But within hours, House Democrats drew a red line: they will not support it.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told his caucus the bill fails to protect Affordable Care Act subsidies — the single issue that started this entire standoff.

Yes, the deal reverses Trump’s mass layoffs and funds key departments like the VA and Agriculture.
But it offers no guarantee of renewing ACA subsidies — just a vague “promise” from Trump’s team that they’ll take it up later.

Democrats have heard that one before. They remember Republicans “promising” not to gut healthcare in 2017 — and then voting to repeal the ACA anyway.
Until healthcare subsidies are secured, Democrats say they won’t reopen the government on Trump’s terms.

⚖️ WHY THIS ISN’T JUST POLICY — IT’S POWER

This isn’t just a funding fight — it’s a power test.
If Democrats rescue Mike Johnson again, they reinforce the same pattern:
Republicans create chaos → Democrats clean it up → Republicans take credit.

That’s not bipartisanship — that’s enablement.
And voters are watching.

Democrats just won massive victories across the country. The public blames Republicans for the shutdown.
So why on earth would Democrats bail out the very party that broke the system?

🧮 WILL SPEAKER JOHNSON HAVE THE VOTES?

The math is ugly for Speaker Johnson. His Republican majority is razor-thin — and his far-right flank is ready to revolt.

🚫 Thomas Massie opposes large spending packages and could vote no.
🚫 Marjorie Taylor Greene and Freedom Caucus allies are furious Johnson worked with Senate Democrats and the White House.

If even five to ten Republicans defect, Johnson doesn’t have the votes.
That would leave him two choices:
1️⃣ Beg Democrats for help — which Jeffries has already ruled out.
2️⃣ Let the government stay closed — and let Trump own the fallout.

Right now, no House Democrat has signaled any plan to cross ranks.
So Johnson is stuck — squeezed between a far-right rebellion and a united Democratic opposition.

💥 SENATE DEMOCRATS DIVIDED — SCHUMER UNDER FIRE

Meanwhile, the Senate vote revealed deep fractures within the Democratic caucus.

Progressives like Warren, Sanders, Markey, Merkley, Baldwin, and Warnock voted no — calling the bill a betrayal of working families.

Even though Schumer himself voted “no,” insiders say he quietly endorsed the deal to give the GOP a political escape hatch.
That move sparked outrage — and now, the calls are growing louder:

“It’s time for new leadership.”

⚔️ WHO COULD REPLACE SCHUMER?

Within the Senate, Democrats are openly debating their future.

🔥 Patty Murray — experienced, steady, respected by both wings.
🔥 Raphael Warnock — a moral leader with unifying appeal.
🔥 Elizabeth Warren — a policy fighter unafraid to take on Trump’s populism.
🔥 Brian Schatz — a next-generation voice for pragmatic progressives.

Whoever steps up, one message is clear: Democrats want leaders who won’t cave when it counts.

🗳️ 2026 DEMOCRATS JOIN THE REVOLT

Future party stars — Lauren Underwood, Ruben Gallego, Mallory McMorrow — are siding with House Democrats, calling the deal “a moral failure.”

This new generation gets it: voters don’t want politeness — they want principle.

🔁 THE ADELITA GRIJALVA EFFECT

Because of Senate changes to the CR, the House must now swear in Adelita Grijalva of Arizona — shifting the balance of power just enough to potentially pass the Epstein List Discharge Petition.

That petition, which demands the release of sealed Epstein court records, has been one signature short for months.
With Grijalva’s addition, it may finally pass — a stunning subplot that could expose corruption at the highest levels of power.

💬 THE BIG PICTURE

For seven weeks, America has been paralyzed by a shutdown Trump engineered to destroy healthcare.
Now, Republicans are fractured, Democrats are divided — and the American people are exhausted.

But this moment matters.
If Democrats hold firm, they prove that democracy can’t be bullied.
If they cave, they teach MAGA extremists that hostage-taking works.

This isn’t about budgets. It’s about courage.

🇺🇸 CLOSING MESSAGE — HOLD THE LINE

House Democrats are right to oppose this deal.
They’re right to demand that healthcare, workers, and democracy matter more than convenience.

And if Chuck Schumer can’t lead that fight — then maybe it’s time for someone who will.

🎙 This is The Josh Lafazan Show — where truth still matters.
If you believe Democrats must stand strong for integrity and accountability — subscribe, ring the 🔔, and share this episode.

Together, we’ll keep fighting for an America that governs with courage, not fear. 💙🇺🇸