House Speaker Mike Johnson's continuity in the post is in doubt as Republicans prepare for a pivotal vote on Friday. Despite receiving a strong endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump, Johnson's leadership remains in question as he works to secure enough support from skeptical lawmakers.
And he can't afford to lose any, as the GOP's slim majority and the resignation of now former Rep. Matt Gaetz Means the party has 219 seats in the Lower House. Considering Thomas Massie has already said he will vote against Johnson, he can't afford to lose any more votes.
Johnson has reportedly spent the week meeting with holdouts, particularly from the hardline House Freedom Caucus, to address concerns over government spending and other issues.
If Johnson fails to secure 218 votes, the vote will continue until a new speaker is elected, leaving Congress in limbo. In an interview Thursday, Johnson remained optimistic, predicting only one "no" vote and expressing confidence that he could clinch the position on the first ballot.
President-elect Trump, who has voiced full support for Johnson, believes he is the only Republican capable of securing enough votes to win the speakership. "He's the one who can win right now. People like him. Almost everybody likes him," Trump said. When asked if he was calling to put pressure on holdouts, Trump said he would, if necessary, but that he believes Johnson has the votes.
While Trump's endorsement has swayed some members, including Rep. Josh Brecheen, others remain uncertain about Johnson's ability to balance conservative fiscal priorities with pushing forward Trump's agenda. Rep. Chip Roy, a key holdout, has emphasized that Johnson must prove he can cut spending effectively. "Something MUST change," Roy wrote on social media. "We cannot afford another funding bill mishandled like the last one."
Johnson said in an interview on Fox News Thursday that the talks have focused on "process reforms in the House." As Johnson continues his efforts to solidify his position, the debate surrounding his leadership will also impact the House's ability to address urgent issues, including the debt ceiling and the upcoming agenda set by the incoming administration.
Last month Johnson worked to pass legislation to prevent a government shutdown and extend the funding deadline to March. Even though he succeeded, the House went through three versions of a continuing resolution before settling on one that passed with Democratic support, compensating for 34 Republicans who defected.
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