House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) faces one of the year's final major leadership tests as lawmakers grapple with a deadline to end the government shutdown at the end of the month.
The House Republican Conference is at odds over how to proceed with the government's budget for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Increasingly, Republicans are open to a short-term spending deal, known as a continuing resolution (CR), through December to give negotiators time to hammer out federal spending for next year.
But Johnson's conservative allies to the right want him to continue fighting to attach a six-month deadline to a bill that would require proof of citizenship in voter registration processes, something the Democratic-controlled White House and Senate say is unworkable.
Johnson was forced last week to postpone a scheduled vote on the bill amid a wave of defections from Republican lawmakers who viewed it as a “messaging” tactic without a sufficient plan to pass the Protect American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act).
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House Speaker Mike Johnson is sticking to his plan for government funding. (Getty Images)
How the Louisiana Republican navigates this political quagmire could be crucial to House GOP leadership decisions in December.
Most Republicans who spoke to Fox News Digital said they saw little appetite for staging a coup, especially with the election so close, but some acknowledged that Johnson would face backlash if he fully aligned with Democrats on spending issues.
“I think if there's an at-large election, he'll likely be challenged for speaker,” one Republican lawmaker told Fox News Digital, noting that the challenge would be significant.
Rep. Eric Burleson (R-Missouri), a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, acknowledged there was room for backlash but said he didn't see an imminent threat to Johnson.
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“If he really screwed up and people feel cheated, but I don't think he's down that path right now,” Burlison said.
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), a member of the Freedom Caucus, said he is personally close to Johnson but generally said, “I think if you have an all-party coalition, that's going to be a big factor in any leadership contest.”
He said it's “not really a topic of conversation at the moment,” but added that for others, “it could be part of the calculation.”
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) said there have been no discussions about replacing House Speaker Mike Johnson if he faces a spending shortfall, but that for some “it could be part of the calculation.” (Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Corey Mills (R-Fla.), who have not been shy about criticizing the speaker, suggested it was inevitable that the speaker would face some kind of rival.
“My personal opinion is that Mike Johnson is going to need the support of Democrats to remain speaker,” Nehls told Fox News Digital, adding that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) would be a “great” candidate.
Jordan was one of several Republican leaders who ran for speaker after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted last fall over his handling of government spending, but his bid was thwarted by opposition from moderates.
“Either way, I think Johnson is going to face a big challenge in terms of leadership,” said Mills, who opposes Johnson's CR plan.
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“I don't think this is going to be a make-or-break moment, but the one thing I continue to sound the alarm about and continue to be very vocal about is we are heading for an economic collapse,” Mills said.
Meanwhile, another Conservative lawmaker, speaking anonymously to Fox News Digital, stressed that unlike his predecessor, Johnson was not at risk of a political coup.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) predicted that if Republicans hold the majority, House Speaker Mike Johnson will need Democratic votes to win next year's speaker election. (Nathan Howard)
“Just talking to him a little bit last weekend, just talking to him a little bit and his staff, I think they really want to make sure they don't end up with an omnibus bill,” the conservative said.
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In addition to pressure from within his own party, Johnson also must deal with government funding negotiations as former President Donald Trump, a potential 2024 Republican candidate, actively seeks a partial government shutdown if election security legislation isn't passed.
Prime Minister Johnson, meanwhile, told reporters he was still sticking to his course and would continue to work on the issue over the weekend.
“We will continue to work on this. My leaders are working hard to reach an agreement, we'll be working on it throughout the weekend, and I would ask any member of Congress on both sides of the aisle to explain to the American people why only American people should be able to vote in American elections,” Johnson said earlier this week.
If Republicans lose their majority, Johnson would only need a majority of party-line votes to remain leader, but Speaker needs a majority of the House, meaning Republicans would need to be united to win.
