Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson has a master plan to prevent a government shutdown, and he’s not worried about meeting the same fate as Rep. Kevin McCarthy. The Louisiana Republican has cooked up a two-step stopgap measure that he believes will save the day and keep the government running smoothly. Speaking on Fox, Mr. Johnson confidently declared, “We’re doing something very different here… it wasn’t Kevin’s fault. What happened before, circumstances were different than they are right now.”
Speaker Johnson says he won't end up like McCarthy, defends his stopgap measure https://t.co/ZQ6aA6OT4X
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 14, 2023
Mr. Johnson’s “maverick” plan involves using a two-step laddered continuing resolution to fund different parts of the government until Jan. 19 and Feb. 2. And as if that’s not bold enough, he’s making it crystal clear that he despises these CR’s as much as anyone and promises that they won’t make an appearance next year. “We’re going to get back to the actual lawful appropriations process that the American people deserve,” he fervently exclaimed.
The House Freedom Caucus has already raised their conservative eyebrows at Mr. Johnson’s measure, joining eight other lawmakers who plan to vote against it. And let’s not forget about those pesky Democrats – they’re throwing shade because they want some Ukraine funding. It’s a real political powder keg.
But Mr. Johnson is undaunted, pointing out that his plan will keep the government running and allow Congress to do its job by avoiding an omnibus spending bill. He’s even got a smart-alecky retort for the naysayers, saying, “Breaking it up, doing part of the bills in early January, part by Feb. 2, allows Congress to do its job, to do it out in the open and it allows us to fight for conservative principles and fiscal sanity.”
The clock is ticking, the deadline for the shutdown is Friday, and Mr. Johnson needs to work his magic to win over both Republicans and Democrats in order to pass his bill. With the House procedural rule requiring at least two-thirds of lawmakers to vote for the measure in order for it to pass, it’s going to be a real nail-biter. But fear not – Mr. Johnson is feeling confident that his plan is the answer to all their woes. The drama continues as the political showdown looms large.
