Joe Mathieu

Welcome back to Bloomberg TV and radio, Mr. Speaker.

Been looking forward to the conversation and I appreciate your time this evening.

I'm sure you're having a ball and you don't want this to end anytime soon, but I'm just wondering what your gut check is here and how long you think this is going to go on.

Well, we spoke just a few moments ago with Congresswoman Catherine Clark, who said we just want to gesture, Mr. Speaker.

Would you consider a promise to bring that negotiated legislation to a floor vote up or down?

We'll make sure that happens before the end of the year.

Well, I know your position on that.

And, you know, we hear about the Schumer shutdown a lot around here.

Tom Emmer was with us just a couple of days ago making the point.

We've heard this over the past couple of weeks.

But what happens if Chuck Schumer doesn't come around for you?

What happens if weeks go by, if members of the military are not being paid?

Are there off ramps here for you, Mr. Speaker?

Will you start reaching out directly to Democrats?

Do we need another meeting in the Oval Office?

That's why I ask if you're reaching out to some of the Democratic senators.

Mr. Speaker, have you talked to Chuck Schumer since your Oval Office meeting?

Well, of course, there's a threat of mass layoffs coming from the president.

He said maybe four or five days he would make a decision on that.

But there's also been a conversation, and I heard you speaking earlier in your briefing, about back pay for federal workers who have been furloughed.