Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson, facing criticism from a small group of very conservative Republicans who want to remove him from his role, is determined to hang on to his leadership position in the upcoming Congress. Despite having just a one-vote majority, Mr. Johnson is confident in his ability to advance the conservative agenda while contending with Democratic control of the Senate and White House. He insists that he is gradually making progress on conservative priorities and addressing critical national security issues, even if it means working with Democrats.
At 52 years old, the Louisiana Republican has been serving as speaker for a little over six months, but he is already facing a challenge to his leadership. Three hard-line House Republicans have accused him of moving the party to the left on major legislation, particularly on a recent foreign aid package for Ukraine that did not include funding for U.S. border security. Mr. Johnson maintains that he remains a faithful Reagan conservative and is striving for “incremental wins” to keep the government functioning.
NEWSMAKER INTERVIEW | Speaker Mike Johnson calls move to oust him ‘recipe for chaos,’ contends he’s scoring ‘incremental’ winshttps://t.co/Jh7JYUtca2 pic.twitter.com/bTF2ad6nWX
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 3, 2024
Many Republicans are disappointed with the lack of policy achievements under Mr. Johnson’s leadership, especially in addressing illegal immigration and government spending that has led to inflation and high interest rates. However, Mr. Johnson defends the legislation he has passed, including the funding for Ukraine, which he describes as a crucial decision influenced by national security concerns.
Despite the criticism from within his own party, Mr. Johnson emphasizes the importance of focusing on expanding the Republican majority and winning the Senate and the White House, rather than attempting to remove him from his position. He believes that ousting him would lead to chaos and argues that maintaining a functioning Congress is essential for addressing the country’s pressing issues.
In addition to his efforts to maintain leadership, Mr. Johnson has also directed House committees to address the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, aiming to find ways federal policy can address the issue. He has not engaged in any discussions with Democrats regarding their support to block the motion to remove him, stating that his focus is on keeping the House operating and functioning effectively.
