Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson is in a mad dash to shore up support within the GOP to keep his comfy chair at the front of the House of Representatives. It appears the Louisiana Republican has lost the favor of several conservative allies, thanks, in part, to the government spending fiasco from December that left many Republicans scratching their heads and wondering if they were dealing with a Democrat in disguise.
Johnson has been playing the political game, making rounds to charm various Republican lawmakers, including some members of the House Freedom Caucus. However, hardline conservatives have raised their eyebrows at Johnson’s leadership skills, especially regarding his commitment to cutting spending. There seems to be a distinct yearning among GOP members for a genuine act of contrition when it comes to fiscal responsibility, with some wanting Johnson to actually bring them into negotiations rather than making it a one-man show.
Mike Johnson Scrambling to Gin Up Support Ahead of Speaker Vote. Will it Work?
https://t.co/JfsXw7UXwf— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 2, 2025
Despite the rising demands from his colleagues, Johnson has drawn a hard line, expressing a complete lack of interest in brokered deals with the factions in his party. Some Republicans, like Rep. Victoria Spartz from Indiana, remain undecided about whether to lend their support, even after meeting with him. Although they had a cordial chat where mutual goals were hinted at, it seems there’s more than just a conversation standing between Johnson and conservative backing.
Despite murmurs of discontent from within his party, Johnson appears to be trudging forward with determination. A senior House Republican noted that Johnson is chatting with everyone in sight but has shown little inclination to share the decision-making power or responsibility, which only fuels the fire of skepticism among members who expect more decisive actions.
In a twist of fate, President-elect Donald Trump remains firmly in Johnson’s corner, even after casting a skeptical eye during the previous spending bill debacle. However, even Trump’s backing isn’t enough to sway all lawmakers, with notable dissenters like Reps. Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, and Andy Biggs, who have made their opposition clear. Massie, in fact, has gone so far as to brand Johnson as the “next Paul Ryan,” a not-so-subtle jab at perceived weaknesses.
Amid all the maneuvering, the election for Speaker looms with palpable urgency. Johnson finds himself in a precarious position where he can only afford to lose one vote from his party if he wishes to maintain his Speakership. With Massie already on record to vote against him and whispers of discontent roaming the halls, the upcoming vote will certainly be a nail-biter. The stakes are sky-high; if the House fails to elect a Speaker by the critical date Jan. 6, then the certification of Trump’s win could hang in the balance. The last thing Republicans want to face is a history-making scenario where Congress attempts to certify a presidential election without a Speaker in place, because that chaos is generating enough anxiety to make the average conservative reach for the bottle.
