Sorry that I forgot about the REAL reason for the gov't shutdown.
Mike Johnson won't seat the House at this time; because he'd have to swear in the new Representative from Arizona. And she's a Democrat. And she's already assured that she'd vote to bring the Epstein files up for a vote. And THAT just can't happen. '
Everything else is a Republican smokescreen, including the incessant blathering about the Democrats.
Eyes on the ball, guys.
BTW, if you doubt the importance of this issue, M.J. could swear in the new Rep without bringing the House back for formal session. He recently swore in tow Republicans members during a "pro forma" session. Didn't do that for the Dem. Just can't figure out why. Oh right, the Epstein files.