House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a tough challenge as he returns to Washington today. The hard right within his own party is in an uproar over a bipartisan deal he made to keep the government funded, claiming that it spends too much money. With just 10 days left to turn this deal into a law, Speaker Johnson is under pressure to navigate this dilemma and avoid a possible government shutdown.
Some fellow Republicans are urging Speaker Johnson to include stringent new border security restrictions in the funding bill, even if it means risking a showdown with Democrats and another government shutdown. Congressman Jim Jordan expressed the belief that every opportunity, including every must-pass bill, should be taken to address the border security issue. However, some are concerned that such a move may lead to a shutdown, as Democrats may prioritize border security over government funding.
Speaker Johnson finds himself on shaky ground as he confronts these challenges. He has been embroiled in nearly every major debate on Capitol Hill, including issues relating to Israel, Ukraine aid, and now government funding. Furthermore, there is growing criticism from the right flank of his party, accusing him of being outmaneuvered by Democrats and lacking in effectiveness in his role as Speaker.
Despite the criticism, Speaker Johnson's position is not immediately under threat. At present, there seems to be no appetite for another motion to remove him from the Speaker's chair. However, the dissatisfaction within his own party cannot be dismissed, as it has the potential to create significant headaches and problems for the Speaker.
The Speaker's strategy is worth noting. He is attempting to placate the demands of the hard right by working with Democrats to ensure the government remains funded. This mirrors the approach taken by his predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, before he was replaced. Speaker Johnson has already moved a defense bill by collaborating with Democrats, sidestepping the right flank in order to secure bipartisan support.
However, this strategy is unlikely to be well-received by the hard right. They were instrumental in pushing out McCarthy when he attempted to keep the government open without seeking spending cuts. By now pursuing a similar course, Speaker Johnson has effectively backed himself into a corner. He has declared that he will not pass any more short-term government funding bills, but the looming deadline of January 19th leaves him with little time to work with.
The pressure is mounting on Speaker Johnson as he faces criticism over the top-line funding numbers and the demand to address border security. While he has not explicitly stated whether he will include border security provisions in the funding bill, the potential for a showdown with Democrats looms large. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has already dismissed the idea as a 'poison pill' that should not be included, further heightening the risk of a government shutdown.
With time running out, Speaker Johnson must carefully navigate this treacherous terrain. The decisions he makes and the path he chooses will have significant ramifications for the government, his party, and the American people. Whether he can avoid a government shutdown and quell the growing discontent within his party remains to be seen, but the stakes are undeniably high.
