Mike Johnson (R-LA), assumed the speakership just over one month ago and is now facing his most significant challenge to date.
In the midst of debating a massive bill designating $100 billion to aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the U.S. southern border and navigating the fallout from an expelled member of his own party, Johnson now finds himself leading the effort to prevent a government shutdown. And with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigning by the end of this month, Mike Johnson’s House majority has now shrunk by an additional two seats, further narrowing its already razor-thin margin.
How Does the New Speaker Measure Up?
Mike Johnson was elected to lead the House majority in the hopes that he would be a more conservative option than former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The high-risk gamble by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and a small coalition of right-wing House members seems to have paid off, for now, as they secured a seemingly more desirable candidate. However, we still have yet to see how Johnson’s tenure will differ from McCarthy’s.
McCarthy had been a reasonable negotiator for the Republican conference, accomplishing various measures, including avoiding a government shutdown, raising the debt ceiling, passing significant defense bills, and opening a formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden. McCarthy was also a very successful fundraiser for Republicans, having acquired a whopping $21 million just over the summer.
This leaves Johnson with high expectations to meet as he grapples with roadblocks in advancing crucial bills, including the $100 billion aid legislation. His negotiation skills will definitely be put to the test in the coming weeks.
Speaker Mike Johnson Tackles Border Policy
Conservatives are advocating for the measures outlined in H.R. 2, a bill approved in May, to be included in this aid package. This legislation aims to significantly tighten the process for migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. and resume the construction of border walls along the southern border. Led by Speaker Mike Johnson, House Republicans are aiming not merely to increase funding for Customs and Border Patrol but also to change border policy to mitigate the flow of migration. Republicans claim that the additional funds will not go so far as to stop migration but will serve to more efficiently control the high rates of illegal entrance.
On Tuesday morning, Johnson conveyed a firm message emphasizing the urgent necessity of aid for Ukraine and Israel despite telling his Republican colleagues that the sweeping changes to U.S.-Mexico border policy would be a “hill to die on.”
Unfortunately for Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reportedly informed him behind closed doors that the bill could not be passed with H.R. 2 attached. This poses a major hurdle for the Republicans in the House who wish to get the funds to Israel and Ukraine along with policy changes to the southern border.
Ultimately, these two policy matters will likely have to be split into separate pieces of legislation to have a chance of passing a divided Congress.
