Johnson’s right wing plots revenge for speaker’s decision to turn on his Freedom Caucus roots
House Passes Speaker Johnson’s Continuing Resolution in First Step to Avoid Shutdown
While hard-line Republican members of the House aren’t looking to doom Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) new role, they are considering options to tank the spending measure passed Tuesday, which did not include the cuts that many House Freedom Caucus members were looking for.
However, more than 90 Republicans voted against the measure.
Spending was notably one of the complaints against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), especially as he pushed forward a continuing resolution after promising to pass appropriations measures in regular order during his struggle to be elected in January.
But members aren’t as quick to turn on Johnson for passing such a measure, noting the situation he inherited.
One Republican aid characterized relations with Johnson as “frustrated but not yet fractured.”
“Friends, this is not the same situation as his predecessor,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) said in a statement. “I realize Speaker Johnson has an incredibly difficult job and deserves some runway and grace,” he continued. He did note that despite his patience with Johnson, he wouldn’t be supporting the spending bill.
Norman additionally signaled to Politico that Freedom Caucus members may look to hold up the measure during procedural votes. “There is a sentiment that if we can’t fight anything, then let’s just hold up everything,” he said.
It is unclear if they will attempt this, though, as even the most steadfast members have expressed the same patience and grace with Johnson, who they acknowledge is in a difficult position. This benefit of the doubt could be due to Johnson’s lack of distrust that plagued McCarthy.
Several hard-line conservative members have indicated a willingness to allow Johnson time to prove himself and get through the difficult situation he was handed.
“He’s got to find an opportunity to change the dynamics,” Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) said. “If he can’t, he’s going to follow the same path of not just the immediately previous speaker but a series of them who have not really proved successful.”
Both publicly and privately to the Republican conference, Johnson has explained the struggle when it comes to spending, with a deadline Friday for a government shutdown and the potential for a large Christmas omnibus bill. According to him, the laddered continuing resolution approach is the way to avoid these.
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“I can’t turn an aircraft carrier overnight,” he said of the spending issue.
And while Johnson himself said he isn’t a fan of continuing resolutions and acknowledged the GOP opposition to it, he said he isn’t worried about a possible motion to vacate. “I’m not concerned about it at all,” he said.
How does the continuing resolution buy more time for negotiations and a permanent funding solution to be reached
S predecessor,” said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), referring to Johnson’s handling of the continuing resolution. “He’s dealing with a divided caucus and limited time to negotiate a spending bill. We have to be patient and give him a chance.”
The continuing resolution, which funds the government through December 11th, passed the House with a vote of 359-57. It now heads to the Senate for consideration, where some senators have already expressed concerns about the lack of spending cuts in the measure.
Democrats are expected to support the continuing resolution, as it aligns with their priorities for a clean funding bill without any controversial provisions. However, they have also voiced their disappointment with the lack of a comprehensive budget agreement and the failure to address key issues such as COVID-19 relief and aid to states and local governments.
Speaker Johnson, who took over the role after former Speaker McCarthy’s resignation, has faced a challenging task in maintaining party unity and keeping the government funded. With the threat of a government shutdown just days away, Johnson’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial.
While some hard-line Republicans may be dissatisfied with the current spending measure, the reality is that time is running out and a temporary solution is needed to avoid a government shutdown. The continuing resolution provides a short-term fix that allows for more time to negotiate a comprehensive spending bill.
It is important to note that this continuing resolution does not address the long-term funding needs of the government. It merely buys more time for negotiations to take place and for a more permanent funding solution to be reached.
As the measure moves to the Senate, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle must come together to find common ground and pass a funding bill that meets the needs of the American people. The clock is ticking, and the consequences of a government shutdown would be devastating for millions of Americans during an already challenging time.
It is crucial that partisan politics be set aside and that lawmakers work together to find a solution that funds the government and addresses the pressing issues facing our nation. The American people deserve better than temporary fixes and short-term measures.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on the Senate as they consider the continuing resolution. The fate of the government funding and the avoidance of a shutdown hang in the balance. Let us hope that our elected officials rise to the occasion and prioritize the needs of the American people above partisan politics.
Now is the time for leadership and compromise. Now is the time for our elected officials to do their jobs and pass a funding bill that serves the best interests of the American people. Only through cooperation and bipartisan effort can we ensure the stability and functioning of our government.
It is my hope that Speaker Johnson’s continuing resolution will serve as a first step towards avoiding a government shutdown and that it will lead to meaningful negotiations and a long-term funding solution. The American people deserve nothing less.
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