Mike Johnson

Rule Changes

Opposing Democratic demands

The Department of Homeland Security partial shutdown has entered its fourth week as of March 9, 2026, with no resolution in sight despite escalating national security pressures. On March 5, President Trump fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to replace her, a move some Democrats suggested could ease negotiations but which has not yet broken the legislative deadlock. The standoff continues over Democratic demands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms following the January deaths of two U.S. citizens—Renée Good and Alex Pretti—shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. Most of DHS's 272,000 employees continue working without pay, while TSA screeners face mounting hardship as the shutdown coincides with spring break travel season and heightened terrorism threats following U.S. military strikes against Iran that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Updated Mar 9

Money Moves

Secured narrow House passage of H.R. 7148 (217-214) on February 3; DHS funding negotiations ongoing

The House passed H.R. 7148 on February 3 by a narrow 217-214 vote, ending a brief weekend partial shutdown and funding Defense, Labor-HHS-Education, Transportation-HUD, State, and Financial Services through September 30, 2026. However, the Department of Homeland Security funding lapsed on February 13 after negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms collapsed, triggering a second partial shutdown affecting only DHS and its agencies including TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA. The impasse stems from Democratic demands for ICE and CBP reforms—including body cameras, use-of-force codes, and restrictions on roving patrols—following the January 24 fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. President Trump has signaled opposition to some Democratic proposals, particularly requirements that ICE agents remove masks during operations.

Updated Feb 17

Rule Changes

Opposed extension, overruled by discharge petition; House passed bill despite his opposition

The House passed a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies on January 8, 2026, by a 230-196 vote, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats after a discharge petition bypassed Speaker Mike Johnson's opposition. The subsidies had expired December 31, 2025, more than doubling premiums for 22 million Americans—92% of marketplace enrollees. A 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 now faces $22,600 more annually in premiums.

Updated Feb 6

Rule Changes

Blocked subsidy extension votes in December; suffered major defeat when discharge petition forced January 8 vote that passed 230-196

The ACA subsidy cliff has delivered the predicted damage. Enhanced premium tax credits expired on January 1, 2026, and by late January, enrollment data confirmed the worst fears: 1.2 to 1.4 million fewer Americans signed up for marketplace coverage compared to the prior year, with total 2026 enrollment falling to 22.8–22.9 million. Average premium payments for subsidized enrollees jumped 114% as projected—from $888 to $1,904 annually—while Trump administration changes to tax credit calculations amplified the shock. State exchanges reported steep declines: California saw new sign-ups fall 32%, Massachusetts lost 13,000 enrollees, and Mississippi expects 200,000 to abandon coverage. The predicted rate shock is no longer a forecast; it is reshaping the individual insurance market in real time.

Updated Feb 6

Rule Changes

Leading House GOP in aligning the NDAA with Trump’s cultural and border priorities while accepting higher spending and Ukraine aid in compromise

In December 2025, Congress completed work on the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing a record $901 billion in national security spending. The House passed the final compromise 312–112 on December 10, and President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on December 18 in a low-profile move without an Oval Office ceremony. The enacted package cements a 4% pay raise for service members, provides $800 million for Ukraine over two years through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), advances Trump priorities such as eliminating Pentagon DEI programs and supporting the “Golden Dome” missile-defense effort, and retains policy riders that helped drive intra-party and bipartisan friction.

Updated Dec 20, 2025