U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson looks on ahead of remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump as he hosts a dinner with Republican members of the U.S. Congress in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 22, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

One Republican member of the House of Representatives is urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to reconsider his approach to the government shutdown, warning that the current course is hurting troops and federal workers in his military-heavy district.

Politico reported Thursday that Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), whose district is home to five military bases, met privately with Johnson to express concerns about the speaker’s ongoing strategy of keeping the House out of session until Senate Democrats agree to move forward on a GOP-backed temporary funding measure.

The report noted that Obernolte has grown increasingly uneasy as the shutdown drags on with no clear resolution in sight, given its impact on his enlisted and retired military constituents.

In a brief interview following the meeting, Obernolte stopped short of openly criticizing Johnson’s decision but made clear he’s feeling pressure from constituents bearing the brunt of the impasse, per the report.

“I wish we could reopen the government ... I think it sets a terrible example for our country,” Obernolte said. “It’s terrible for our troops ... It’s an altogether bad situation.”

While President Donald Trump recently secured temporary funding to ensure troops were paid on Oct. 15, Obernolte remains concerned about the impact of the shutdown on both military families and the hundreds of furloughed civilian workers in his district.

“This is going to last, and it’s not fair to ask our federal workers to be working without a paycheck,” he said.

“Frustration that the United States Congress is so dysfunctional that we can’t even agree on a way of keeping the government open on a short term basis — hear all of it on a daily basis.”

Obernolte, a typically low-key lawmaker with a background in local government, has recently become more vocal in internal GOP discussions. He pressed Johnson during a recent party conference call to clarify when the House would return to Washington.

So far, GOP leaders remain firm: the House will reconvene only after Senate Democrats agree to advance the House’s funding proposal.

Though Obernolte said Johnson had “good answers” during their discussion, he repeatedly declined to say whether he supports the speaker’s stance of keeping the House idle.

“It was us having a discussion about the various decision factors,” Obernolte said, emphasizing his focus on reopening the government. “I think … Job One for everyone is to get the federal government reopened.”

As for potential solutions, Obernolte said he opposes linking expiring Obamacare subsidies to the GOP’s stopgap funding plan, a key Democratic demand. Still, he encouraged more bipartisan engagement, saying, “I’m a pretty bipartisan guy. I don’t think we do enough talking across the other side.”