GOP Embraces Role Reversal in Shutdown Fight
On Oct. 2, 2025, Associated Press reporting from Washington shows Republican leaders publicly urging Democrats to reopen the federal government as a partial shutdown drags into a new day. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP officials framed the standoff as Democrats 'inflicting the pain,' while Sen. Rand Paul stood apart as the only Senate Republican opposing the GOP-backed short-term continuing resolution; Vice President J.D. Vance and OMB Director Russ Vought framed reopening as a priority even as the administration uses the pause to press policy changes.
Politics
Government
🔍 Key Facts
- Date/location: AP story filed Oct. 2, 2025 from Washington, D.C.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters, 'We want to protect hardworking federal workers,' urging Democrats to reopen the government.
- Sen. Rand Paul was identified as the lone Republican in the Senate opposing the GOP-backed short-term continuing resolution; Vice President J.D. Vance publicly backed reopening.
📍 Contextual Background
- The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown on 2025-10-01 after the midnight funding deadline passed with Democrats and Republicans failing to agree on a funding bill.
- Russell Vought served as the Director (chief) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
- OMB is the abbreviation for the Office of Management and Budget, an office within the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for assisting the President in preparing the federal budget and supervising its administration in executive agencies.