Whispers of potential replacements for House Speaker Mike Johnson are circulating among GOP members dissatisfied with his handling of government funding negotiations. Sources indicate that House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Rep. Byron Donalds have been mentioned as possible alternatives, though such a move is considered risky at this stage. While spokespeople for Emmer and Donalds affirmed their current support for Johnson, the discussions underscore the growing discontent within the Republican party regarding the proposed continuing resolution (CR).
The CR, designed to avert a government shutdown and extend funding through March 14, has drawn criticism for its inclusion of various policy riders, including provisions on healthcare, ethanol fuel, disaster aid, infrastructure projects, and a congressional pay raise. This has sparked outrage among fiscal conservatives who prefer a "clean" funding extension. With the national debt exceeding $36 trillion and the recent fiscal year's deficit reaching $1.8 trillion, the CR's additional spending has further fueled opposition.
Several GOP lawmakers have hinted at potential consequences for Johnson's leadership in the upcoming January 3rd speaker vote. While Emmer, Jordan, and Donalds have previously expressed support for Johnson, they all contended for the speakership last year following Kevin McCarthy's ouster. Johnson ultimately secured the position with backing from President-elect Trump, which may mitigate some of the current backlash. Although a government shutdown is widely viewed as undesirable, the CR has also faced criticism from figures within Trump's circle, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Johnson remains confident in his position, asserting that the CR represents the best achievable outcome given the current political landscape. He and his allies maintain that Republicans will be better positioned to address federal funding once the CR expires at the start of Trump's term. Despite the mounting pressure, Johnson appears determined to navigate the current challenges and secure the necessary votes for the CR.
