Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is in for a wild ride when the House reconvenes on Feb. 28. After narrowly escaping a government shutdown in January, Johnson has little time to relax as he faces a slew of problems that could spell disaster for the conservative cause. With just three days to spare before the March 1 spending deadline, Johnson must corral his rowdy caucus and navigate a minefield of contentious issues.
.@SpeakerJohnson’s three problems that aren’t going away while House is out on recess https://t.co/iyg5Eh6St9 https://t.co/iyg5Eh6St9
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 16, 2024
First off, there’s the looming government shutdown, a nightmare scenario for Republicans in an election year. Johnson barely dodged this bullet in January with a short-term continuing resolution, but the clock is ticking. His plan to fund the government through 12 separate bills will undoubtedly spark heated debates, and time is not on his side. With hard-line conservatives ready to revolt, Johnson must perform a political tightrope act to avoid a disastrous shutdown.
Then there’s the border security debacle, a hot-button issue that has become the bane of the Biden administration. Record numbers of border crossings have ignited a firestorm among conservatives in Congress, who are demanding funds for border security before anything else. Johnson is under intense pressure to secure funding for the border, with many Republicans adamant about not supporting any spending bills without robust border security measures. It’s a high-stakes game for Johnson, and the clock is ticking relentlessly.
And if that wasn’t enough, Johnson is facing internal strife within his own party. Conservative hardliners are beginning to question his leadership, with some even suggesting that it may be time for a new speaker. Recent votes have exposed dissatisfaction with Johnson, and he’s been labeled as being in “survival mode.” The embattled speaker is going to have a tough time winning back the support of his party members, especially as he grapples with the looming government shutdown and the border security quagmire.
In sum, Johnson’s plate is overflowing with problems, and there’s no time for rest. The fate of the government’s funding, border security, and even his own leadership hangs in the balance as the House prepares to reconvene. It’s going to be a nail-biting return to Washington for the embattled House Speaker.
