Mike Johnson chided Democratic senators, saying they backed themselves "into a corner" over what's now Day 28 of the second longest shutdown.
Watch Johnson's remarks in the player above
Johnson, who has refused to call the House into session, said during his daily press conference at the partly closed Capitol that Democrats have political "cover" now that the largest federal workers union has urged them to reopen government.
Democrats are holding out until Republicans agree to preserve health care subsidies for millions of Americans who face skyrocketing insurance premiums.