Happening Now: Thune, Johnson Hold Joint Press Conference As Government Shutdown Persists

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will talk with reporters Friday afternoon as the government shutdown is expected to stretch into next week.

Republicans have largely been united in their pressure on Democrats to pass a “clean” continuing resolution that would fund the government at the previous level through Nov. 21. The Senate has failed to convince enough Democrats to defect in order to pass the stopgap funding bill with seven different votes failing to move the needle, with the GOP casting much of the blame on the left over its health care demands.

Johnson in remarks earlier Friday said he would not recall lawmakers back to Washington until a deal to reopen the government is reached — despite facing heat over a potential lapse in military pay.

The joint press conference is scheduled to begin at noon EDT.