WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, is facing challenges as he tries to rebuild a fractured House Republican majority. Similar to his predecessor, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Johnson is struggling to unite the hard-right factions within the party, leading to disruptions in the party’s agenda and raising doubts about their ability to govern.
Tensions on Capitol Hill reached a boiling point last week, with lawmakers engaging in heated confrontations. A Republican senator even challenged a Teamsters union boss to a brawl. As a result, Johnson was forced to abandon the party’s schedule and dismiss everyone early for Thanksgiving. Johnson described the political climate as a “pressure cooker” and expressed hope that things would calm down.
However, the outlook for the future appears bleak. House Republicans, who promised to cut federal spending, investigate President Joe Biden, and reverse Democratic policies, have made only incremental progress on their priorities. Despite McCarthy’s debt deal with Biden earlier this year, which aimed to reduce federal deficits by $1.5 trillion over the next decade, Republicans have struggled to pass the necessary legislation to enact those cuts. Some bills have been pulled from the House floor due to disagreements within the party, with hard-right conservatives pushing for even deeper cuts.
With the threat of a government shutdown looming, Congress had no choice but to pass another short-term spending measure, maintaining current spending levels until January. This move temporarily avoids a shutdown but sets the stage for another potential showdown early next year. Frustration among conservatives is growing, with Rep. Chip Roy of Texas criticizing his colleagues for their lack of action and urging them to fight for Republican ideals.
The divide within the GOP highlights the gap between their desire to shrink the government and the challenges of implementing cuts that directly impact constituents. Centrist conservatives like Rep. Nick LaLota of New York have voted against legislation that would cut funding for agencies like the Justice Department, citing concerns about public safety. They argue that while their constituents want spending reductions, they want them in the right areas.
Republicans are also frustrated with the countless midnight voting sessions and the lack of progress on legislative packages. These sessions involve voting on amendments, such as slashing Biden administration salaries or ending “woke” policies, that ultimately go nowhere. LaLota believes that after 10 months in the majority, this strategy is ineffective and calls for a reassessment of priorities.
Complicating matters further is the ongoing global conflicts. President Biden has requested a $106 billion supplemental spending package to support Ukraine against Russia, aid Israel in its war with Hamas, and provide relief for Palestinians in Gaza. The package also includes priorities like bolstering U.S.-Mexico border security. Johnson proposed a stopgap measure to address these issues, but it was met with resistance from hard-right conservatives who opposed the plan. Despite the challenges, they are willing to give Johnson time to find his footing as the new speaker.
Republicans are aware that their slim House majority is at risk in the upcoming 2024 election if they fail to deliver on their promises. Many lawmakers from both parties are choosing to retire rather than endure the constant battles. Johnson defends his three weeks on the job, acknowledging that change takes time. He assures reporters that he has great plans for the future.
However, Rep. Garrett Graves, a Louisiana Republican and a close ally of McCarthy, cautions against expecting immediate results from a change in leadership. He predicts a bumpy road ahead. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who helped oust McCarthy, states that he is working to establish a good relationship with Johnson and wishes him luck.
The challenges facing Johnson and the House Republicans underscore the difficulties of governing and uniting a divided party. As they navigate the competing factions and attempt to fulfill their promises to voters, the path forward remains uncertain.
