WASHINGTON — As the federal government shutdown enters a second week, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are becoming more entrenched in their blame games.

During a news briefing Wednesday, House Republicans continued to accuse Democrats of causing the government’s closure, while congressional Democrats pushed back, saying the opposing party refuses to address health care.

“There is one sad and inescapable fact that no one can forget here: This shutdown is nothing more than political cover for Chuck Schumer and the Democrats,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said at a press briefing where he portrayed the Senate minority leader as “a very far-left politician” who “has to put up his dukes and show a fight” to appease even more left-leaning members of his party.

Johnson cited recent

See Full Page