Picking up the pieces after a short-lived conservative revolt, Speaker Mike Johnson easily won re-election but the victory was short-lived. Republican hard-right politicians forming the House Freedom Caucus in October delivered a list of complaints and policy expectations to him, indicating that the GOP can still not manage cohesion within it.
A Tenuous Grip on Leadership
Mike Johnson became a Speaker, via a very contentious process in the summer of 2015. Charged with helping usher through Congress a heavy legislative agenda of key proposals from President-elect Donald Trump, he has to contend with a fractured Republican caucus. On the list of goals are reauthorizing Trump’s tax credits, raising the federal debt limit, reducing federal spending, and adopting am stringent immigration policies. These efforts are problematic internally and the margins in the House are getting thinner; two important GOP members resigned to join the Trump administration.
Freedom Caucus Demands and Party Divisions
The Freedom Caucus has laid down its demands this time and is only willing to approve federal borrowing increases provided that spending cuts are made. They also want any reconciliation package to cut spending and the deficit proportional to the growth rates assumed. These positions contrast with the projected $4 trillion price tag of extending tax cuts — the fight that is shaping up for battle within the GOP.
Moderate Republicans say that they are annoyed by the recklessness of the hard-liners mainly from those districts, which makes it even tougher for Mike Johnson to gather support. These divisions threaten to sabotage Trump’s legislative goals and stall work on amending legislation to meet promised obligations to the electorate.
Conclusion
With the GOP set to work on tax, budget, and immigration reform Mike Johnson finds herself negotiating between a rock and a hard place. It will also be vital that the modern Speaker can tame the factions within the party to ensure Trump’s agenda is implemented. Facing tall hills and low margins of error, Mike Johnson’s stewardship will be challenged as he tries to plot the 119th Congress.
