House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has expressed his intention to remain in House GOP leadership in 2025, regardless of whether the Republicans maintain the House majority. Speaking at the House Republicans’ annual member retreat at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, Johnson stated that he is focused on the current responsibilities but hopes to continue laying important groundwork for future work.
Johnson also provided a preview of the Republican agenda for 2025, expressing confidence that the GOP would secure the House majority and win the Senate and White House. Among the key priorities mentioned by Johnson were securing the border and addressing the perceived failures of the Biden administration, tackling the China threat, increasing the US stature on the world stage, bolstering defense capabilities, implementing tax reform, exploring the weaponization of the federal government, and advancing legislation on artificial intelligence.
The House Speaker believes that the first 100 days of the Congress agenda would be very aggressive, and he expressed excitement for the prospect. Johnson’s comments come as he continues to support former President Trump, expressing confidence in Trump’s potential victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Johnson was elected as Speaker of the House in October 2023 following the ousting of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. When asked about potentially changing the rules for removing a speaker, Johnson suggested that there might be a change to the motion to vacate rules in the next Congress. These rules determine the guidelines for removing a speaker from power. He mentioned that he never advocated for a rule change but anticipated that a majority of his lawmakers would support it.
Many House Republicans criticized the group of eight Republicans and all House Democrats who voted to remove McCarthy, arguing that their actions projected instability. Johnson acknowledged that discussions about the motion to vacate frequently occur among members and indicated that there might be changes in the future.
In conclusion, House Speaker Mike Johnson is determined to remain in House GOP leadership in 2025 and is focused on the current responsibilities while laying important groundwork. He outlined a comprehensive agenda for the Republican Party, including addressing border security, countering the China threat, and advancing various legislative priorities. Johnson also expressed support for former President Trump and indicated potential changes to the motion to vacate rules in the next Congress.
