Title: Speaker Mike Johnson Faces Spending Challenges, Raising Concerns of Government Shutdown
Subtitle: House Republican leaders grapple with internal divisions on spending bills
In an eerily familiar situation, newly appointed House Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself facing spending problems similar to his predecessor, raising concerns of a potential government shutdown. House Republican leaders have been forced to withdraw several spending bills from the floor due to opposition within the divided GOP conference, leaving Johnson to grapple with a strategy to keep the government funded without sparking a right-wing rebellion.
The challenge lies in some Republican colleagues attaching hyper-partisan amendments to spending bills, further complicating the process. Johnson, who has yet to reveal the funding route he will pursue, is evaluating options that include a straightforward stopgap bill or a “laddered” approach. This internal disagreement within the conference over spending bills is exposing divisions within the party and causing tensions between the moderate and conservative wings.
Among the bills facing opposition from different factions within the GOP are the Transportation bill and the Financial Services bill. The problems anticipated with remaining spending bills, including the Agriculture bill and the Commerce-Justice-Science funding measure, only add to Johnson’s challenges.
To avoid a government shutdown, Johnson is hoping to garner conservative support for a short-term spending bill, arguing that they need more time to negotiate and pass yearlong funding measures. However, serious questions remain regarding the ability to pass yearlong bills, as some GOP appropriators are calling for immediate negotiations with the Senate.
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries insists that Democrats will only accept a clean continuing resolution, free from any controversial amendments. Veteran appropriators and swing district Republicans are urging Johnson to keep the short-term spending bill “clean.”
Conservatives within the party, however, are pushing for additional spending cuts and a laddered approach, despite the likely opposition they will face in the Senate. Johnson finds himself facing a political risk by aiming for a clean spending bill, based on the experiences of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
With the government’s funding set to expire on November 17, a final decision on the funding route is expected to be made soon. All eyes are now on Speaker Mike Johnson as he navigates the treacherous waters of budget negotiations during this critical time.
