House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a challenging battle to retain his leadership position as a critical vote approaches on Friday. Despite securing an endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump, Johnson's speakership remains uncertain following contentious government funding negotiations that sparked discontent among conservative members due to perceived insufficient spending cuts.
As the 119th Congress commences, the House will vote to elect a new speaker, offering a rare glimpse into the internal political dynamics. C-SPAN has been granted access to broadcast from within the chamber during the proceedings. With a slim Republican majority, Johnson can only afford to lose one Republican vote to maintain his position. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already publicly stated his intention to vote against Johnson.
Several other Republicans have expressed reservations about supporting Johnson, although none have joined Massie in explicitly opposing him. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) has indicated he is undecided and plans to discuss his concerns with Johnson. Trump's endorsement of Johnson this week adds another layer of complexity, as the vote will serve as an indicator of his influence within the new Congress.
Adding to the pressure is the unprecedented situation of potentially certifying a presidential election without a confirmed House Speaker. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), while undecided, emphasized the need for change, citing concerns about the handling of a recent spending bill. Despite the uncertainty, Johnson has expressed confidence in securing the necessary votes.
Johnson engaged in discussions with several potential GOP holdouts on Thursday, including Reps. Victoria Spartz, Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, Andy Harris, Andy Ogles, Michael Cloud, and Eli Crane. Last month's government shutdown negotiations highlighted the divisions within the Republican party, with Johnson ultimately relying on Democratic votes to pass a continuing resolution after a series of failed attempts. The initial 1,500-page spending bill faced significant opposition, followed by the defeat of a shorter, Trump-endorsed bill. The final bill passed with more Democratic than Republican support, further underscoring the challenges Johnson faces.
With an estimated four to ten Republican members potentially voting against him, Johnson's speakership hangs precariously. Trump's public endorsement of Johnson emphasized the importance of the vote and the need for unity within the party. Johnson previously survived a challenge to his leadership in May when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) initiated a motion to vacate. However, he received support from Democrats at that time, an option that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has ruled out for the upcoming vote.
