Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ouster in October 2023 has set the stage for current House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to face similar challenges regarding government funding. Johnson is preparing to unveil a plan during a conference-wide call with House Republicans to avoid a potential government shutdown by the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
The proposed plan, supported by former President Donald Trump, involves extending the current fiscal year's government funding levels through March. This extension would be coupled with a GOP bill that mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration. While many conservatives and Trump allies in the House have endorsed the plan, some House Republicans remain hesitant.
Concerns have been raised about the wisdom of spending valuable session time on a bill that is likely to face opposition in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Despite the division among House Republicans, Johnson is under pressure to navigate these challenges effectively to avoid a repeat of McCarthy's fate.
Last year, McCarthy faced a critical moment when a conservative continuing resolution (CR) with a border security bill attached failed to pass, leading to a last-minute funding extension to avert a government shutdown. This event ultimately contributed to McCarthy's removal from office by fellow House Republicans.
With the upcoming November House races expected to be closely contested, House Republicans are eager to push through conservative priorities before potentially losing control of the chamber to Democrats. However, the slim chances of the proposed plan being accepted by the Senate or the White House raise concerns about a government shutdown just before Election Day.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the plan, Johnson remains focused on finding a viable solution to the government funding dilemma. While some House Republicans express reservations about the proposed strategy, others believe it is crucial to stand firm on conservative principles.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Johnson's ability to navigate these challenges will be closely watched by both his supporters and critics within the Republican Party.
