As the government shutdown drags on, Speaker Mike Johnson is tackling internal party concerns about his decision to keep the House out of session indefinitely. This strategy hinges on waiting for Senate Democrats to approve a House-passed funding patch that aims to reopen the government.

In a significant move, Johnson met with Rep. Jay Obernolte, a vocal critic within the party, on Thursday afternoon to address these concerns. The meeting took place in the Speaker's office, where Obernolte expressed his unease about the ongoing absence from Washington and the negative political optics it could generate for the GOP, making them appear as if they are avoiding their duties.

Obernolte, known for his usually calm demeanor, has become increasingly worried, especially given his district's heavy military presence — it houses five bases significantly impacted by the shutdown. Despite his reservations, after his discussion with Johnson, Obernolte hinted that the Speaker provided "good answers" but remained non-committal publicly about whether he supports the strategy of not reconvening the House.

The California Representative also highlighted the broader implications of the shutdown on his constituents, mentioning frustration and difficulties faced by both military personnel and civilian workers who are going without pay. "This is going to last, and it's not fair to ask our federal workers to be working without a paycheck," Obernolte stated, underscoring the urgency of resolving the shutdown.

While President Donald Trump has managed a temporary fix to ensure military pay for the mid-October period, concerns linger about future paychecks and the overall functionality of the government. Obernolte criticized the ongoing stalemate: "It's terrible for our troops... It's an altogether bad situation."

On potential solutions, Obernolte expressed reluctance to link Obamacare subsidies directly with the stopgap funding bill, a key demand from Democrats. However, he showed openness to discussions about the future of these health insurance credits, emphasizing the need for more bipartisan dialogue.

As the shutdown continues with no clear end in sight, the pressure on Johnson and his leadership team is mounting, not only from across the aisle but now more vocally from within their ranks. The coming days could prove crucial in determining whether the GOP can unify its strategy and bring an end to the current governmental impasse.