Staff Reports
Conservative Republicans are not pleased with Speaker Mike Johnson’s performance. The spending deal announced by Speaker Johnson, the White House, and congressional leaders to fund the government has stirred up quite a controversy among House conservatives. The deal, based on the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) and the debt ceiling deal struck by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and President Joe Biden, has not been well-received by the conservative members of Congress, including the House Freedom Caucus.
According to reports, the actual spending levels in the plan exceed promises by nearly $100 billion, retaining significant funding for President Biden’s priorities. This has sparked strong criticism from Republicans, with Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) expressing his disappointment and calling for better fiscal responsibility in light of the nation’s massive debt and rampant inflation.
I am a NO to the Johnson Schumer budget deal.
This $1.6 Trillion dollar budget agreement does nothing to secure the border, stop the invasion, or stop the weaponized government targeting Biden’s political enemies and innocent Americans.
So much for the power of the purse!
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) January 8, 2024
Furthermore, the growing discontent within the Republican Party has led some to question Speaker Johnson’s ability to deliver conservative wins. One well-connected House Republican even went so far as to express serious concerns about Johnson’s capacity to succeed in his role, suggesting that he may be “way, way over his head.”
The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative group, has also voiced its opposition to the spending deal, emphasizing the need to prioritize border security and economic stability. The group is adamant about including H.R. 2, the House-passed border legislation, in the spending bill, highlighting the critical importance of addressing immigration policy and securing the border.
Overall, conservative lawmakers are calling for a more fiscally responsible approach, condemning the excessive government spending and advocating for measures to rein in the ongoing border crisis. The lack of conservative wins and the failure to prioritize key conservative issues have left many Republicans disillusioned with Speaker Johnson’s leadership.
