Conservative Lawmakers Signal End of Honeymoon Period for Speaker Mike Johnson

  

   In the midst of impending battles over government funding and critical legislation like the annual defense policy bill, some of the House of Representatives' most conservative members are signaling that Speaker Mike Johnson's initial grace period is coming to an end.

Representative Andy Ogles from Tennessee, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, likens Johnson's relationship with the hard-right wing to any marriage or relationship, emphasizing the need to build trust and meet expectations. While acknowledging Johnson as a friend, Ogles notes there are high expectations for the newly elected Speaker.

Other hard-liners, such as Representative Troy Nehls from Texas, agree that Johnson is entering a new phase as a leader. Despite describing the House as a mess and lamenting Republicans unwilling to negotiate, Nehls hopes Johnson will be given more grace.

Johnson's election as speaker was celebrated among the House's right flank for his conservative credentials compared to his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. However, his role as one of the four party leaders requires him to represent all House Republicans, not just the conservative faction, especially in delicate negotiations to avoid a potential government shutdown in January.

Criticism arises as some members, like Representative Chip Roy, argue that Johnson has been more focused on negotiating four-corner deals than engaging with his conference. A spokesperson for Johnson asserts his commitment to conservative reforms and highlights priorities such as addressing the migrant crisis, cutting federal spending, and proceeding with the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

Fragile Negotiations on Government Funding

Despite conservative hesitations in negotiating with Democrats, Freedom Caucus Chair Representative Scott Perry signals a willingness to accept a spending agreement larger than some original demands. Previously pushing for funding levels below the debt ceiling deal agreed upon by Biden and McCarthy, conservatives now concede to a spending cap of $1.59 trillion for the next fiscal year.

This concession represents a small victory for Johnson, given the demands for significant spending cuts that contributed to McCarthy's ousting. Parts of the government are funded until January 19, with the remaining functions funded until February 2.

Johnson's Challenging Role

While acknowledging Johnson's relatively new position as Speaker, most House Republicans recognize the difficulty of his circumstances. Representative Debbie Lesko praises Johnson for approaching his work with positivity, integrity, and commitment to America's future, acknowledging the challenging nature of the role.

Representative Matt Rosendale dismisses the notion of a grace period for Johnson, evaluating his performance day by day. Representative Warren Davidson emphasizes that conservative grievances against Johnson are not personal, stating, "He's got a tough situation. None of it's personal; we're just trying to make sure we deliver on the promises we made to the American people."