Staff Reports
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing a challenging situation as he tries to get his temporary spending plan through the House. This plan would keep current spending levels and delay the appropriations deadline until early next year. The House is set to vote on Tuesday, but Johnson is already facing opposition from some House Republicans who object to the plan.
Johnson faces first test in averting shutdown amid conservative resistance https://t.co/mFbCVFZadn
— J. Metz (@Metz1245John) November 14, 2023
These Republicans want to see some sort of budget cuts implemented, rather than maintaining the current spending levels set by Democrats. At least eight GOP lawmakers have said they will vote against the plan, which could put Johnson in a bind. He can only afford to lose three Republicans due to his slim majority in the House.
If Johnson can’t get enough Republican support, he may have to rely on Democrats to help pass the plan. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has said that Democrats have “zero intention to vote for the rule.” This could mean that the legislation will be blocked as enough Republicans have already announced they will vote against it.
To avoid this scenario, Johnson may choose to put the bill on the floor under suspension, which would require a two-thirds majority to pass. This means Johnson would need to rely on more than 70 Democrats to back the plan. However, some Republicans have already pushed back on this strategy, calling it a “very big mistake.”
Whether or not Democrats will support Johnson’s plan is still unclear, but party leaders have left the door open to the possibility. However, there are sticking points for party leaders, including concerns about the bifurcation of the continuing resolution in January and February.
While the Senate has dropped plans to move forward with its own proposal, indicating a growing sense of agreement among Democrats, there is skepticism that Congress will be able to pass appropriations bills in time to avoid a mini-shutdown in January. If the bills are not passed, Johnson has said he will move to implement an 8% cut across the board to non-defense spending.
Overall, Johnson’s leadership will be put to the test as he tries to navigate this difficult situation and avoid a government shutdown. His ability to rally support from both Republicans and Democrats will be crucial in determining the outcome.
