The government shutdown closing in now on three weeks. We're at three weeks, folks. Joining us right now to talk about it, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.He is now chairman of the Alpha Institute. Want to welcome him to the broadcast. Kevin, help us understand where you think things go from here.And at this point in the ball game, who's actually got the leverage. >> Well, good point. I've been through many of these.Um, this this this shutdown's different than others. I kind of call it the Seinfeld shut ...

>> Chuck Schumer is saying this is getting better for us every day. That's not somebody who wants to see this get resolved. And they are pandering to the left wing special interest groups out there who have demanded this and demanded this showdown with the president of the United States.And so we've got a bill, as I've said, that's passed the House, that's sitting at the desk in the Senate that we could pass today, put it on the president's desk. He would sign it into law. And this shutdown hole fiasco ends ...

All right, we're ready. Uh joining us now, House Speaker Mike Johnson. Uh Mr.. Speaker, thank you. Uh good to have you on this morning. We always good to be with you.Thanks. We're feeling uh pessimistic. I don't know, maybe you can uh talk us out of it, but um does it look like uh at this point this will not be averted, the shutdown.You know me, I'm an optimist, but I am a little skeptical this morning. Uh whether or not the government shuts down at midnight is entirely up to two people. It's Chuck Schumer ...