Frustration is running high in the Capitol, spilling over to the hallways in a debate between the House Speaker Mike Johnson and two Democratic senators over the government shutdown fight and Johnson's refusal to swear in an Arizona congresswoman-elect who won a special election two weeks ago.

Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, both of Arizona, gathered reporters in front of the speaker's office Wednesday afternoon to call on Johnson to swear in Adelita Grijalva as well as enter negotiations to extend health care subsidies and reopen the government. But Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, was not about to let them stand outside his office and make their point unchecked.

After quickly shaking hands with the two senators, Johnson challenged them: "We're going to do that as soon as we get back to work. But we need the lights turned back on, so we encourage both of you to go open the government."

Gallego responded that Johnson was not swearing in Grijalva because she would provide crucial support to force a vote on a bill to force the release of the case files of the investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

"Get your people in and stop covering up for the pedophiles," Gallego snapped at Johnson.