The upcoming spending fight in Congress could herald the end of Mike Johnson’s tenure as House speaker, Politico wrote Monday.
As a possible government shutdown on Oct. 1 approaches, Johnson has two choices, the news outlet reported: risk “chaos” by going with the priorities of his party’s right flank, or try to reach a bipartisan deal — likely infuriating that same group.
“Johnson has opted for the former, at least as his opening move,” Politico reported.
“And it’s not hard to see why: The speaker has faced repeated ouster threats from conservatives, so he needs to shore up support among that group if he wants to keep his gavel next year.”
Among the right’s demands is a plan to demand proof of citizenship to register to vote, a move Johnson appears to plan to bring to the House floor to highlight Democrats opposition to the matter — though it will undoubtedly die in the Senate.
But the speaker is also feeling pressure from more moderate sections of his party who don’t want a shutdown as an election nears.
And he needs to win support from all sides as he prepares a fight to keep the speaker’s gavel next year, Politico reported.
“He has to hope that the show of force is enough to appease his right flank just weeks before he’ll personally need their support for a potential speakership bid. If that plan doesn’t work, he risks antagonizing the conservatives who are most likely to challenge his attempt to keep the gavel next year,” the report stated.
But he has another major threat to his position — the election itself.
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“If we don’t pick up any seats, he’s extremely vulnerable,” a House Republican, who Politico agreed not to name, said.
“I think if we lose the majority, he might as well call it. But if we pick up seats, he’s gonna be in a very strong position.”
Politico reported that, if the GOP does retain the House in November and Johnson gets the nomination, the support of the right during the January speakership vote would be essential to him — hence why the looming spending bill is so vital.
“He’s going to look to see where the conservatives are, in my opinion, because the conservatives are always the one to threaten to kick him [out],” said one House Republican.
