In a recent development, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a conservative Republican from Louisiana, has garnered the trust of his fellow conservatives, potentially giving him the leverage to prevent a government shutdown. Several conservatives who opposed the previous Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s “clean” continuing resolution (CR) have expressed their support for Johnson in bringing a CR to the floor, under certain preconditions if necessary to fund the government beyond November 17.
Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina emphasized the difficulty of passing a CR without Johnson’s credibility, stating, “He just has credibility. We know he means what he says and says what he means.” Johnson’s unanimous election by House Republicans further solidifies his position and his commitment to passing 12 individual spending bills.
While Johnson has pledged to continue the House GOP’s work on appropriations bills, he has shown openness to a short-term spending bill (CR) if the situation demands it. However, he has specified that any CR must meet certain conditions. McCarthy’s previous attempt at passing a CR faced opposition from 21 GOP lawmakers, including Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee. Burchett, who did not support any CR under McCarthy, expressed his willingness to consider Johnson’s proposal if it aligns with his concerns for “true savings” and “border security.”
Notably, Johnson’s approach may be seen as a one-time opportunity, with Burchett warning, “I might give him one bite at that apple but there won’t be two shots at that.” Representative Eric Burlison of Missouri echoed the importance of Congress continuing its appropriations work, emphasizing the need for conservative wins and collaboration with the Senate.
Representative Bob Good of Virginia, who voted for the conservative CR but against McCarthy’s 45-day measure, predicted that many right-leaning colleagues would extend goodwill to Johnson. Good stated that most, if not all, of the GOP conference would be open to a short-term spending bill that complements their efforts to pass bills with wins for the American people.
Johnson’s leadership is viewed as a refreshing change that brings a new level of trust to the conservative agenda. He is seen as a partner in advancing the conservative values that Republicans campaigned on. This newfound trust could prove instrumental in averting a potential government shutdown.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Elkind is a congressional reporter at Fox News with a focus on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. She has previously written for the Daily Mail and CBS News. You can follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected]. Stay updated with the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to her newsletter.
