Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday the US government shutdown could become the longest in history. He spoke at the Capitol on the 13th day of the closure, warning that he won’t negotiate with Democrats until they pause their health care demands and reopen government. The shutdown has halted federal operations, closed museums and disrupted flights across the country. Thousands of federal workers are being laid off under the Trump administration, a move critics say is aimed at shrinking government.

Standing alone at the Capitol, Johnson said he was unaware of details surrounding the mass layoffs. Vice President JD Vance has called the cuts “painful” as unions sue the administration. Johnson thanked President Donald Trump for ensuring the military and Coast Guard are paid, easing

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