Arizona Democratic U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego caused a stir at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday when they confronted House Speaker Mike Johnson while cameras were rolling.
It started when Kelly and Gallego held in impromptu press conference with reporters who appeared to be waiting for Johnson. When the speaker walked up, the Arizona Democrats peppered him with questions.
Ran into Speaker Johnson and told him exactly how I feel about Republicans shutting down the government to protect pedophiles and jack up health care costs for 24 million Americans. pic.twitter.com/ReofOxFWRz
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) October 8, 2025
What did Sens. Kelly and Gallego say to House speaker?
The participants often talked over each other during the lively exchange.
Kelly and Gallego pushed Johnson about why he hadn’t yet sworn in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election to replace her late father, Raúl Grijalva, in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District over two weeks ago.
The ongoing government shutdown was another big topic.
Johnson eventually accused the Arizonans of a publicity stunt and encouraged them to vote on a continuing resolution to reopen the government before he walked away.
Kelly and Gallego then took more questions from reporters.
Watch the entire episode here.
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