Johnson Keeps Government Open By Taking Page Out Of McCarthy’s Book

November 14, 2023
US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
|
November 14, 2023

The House passed a two-step stopgap Tuesday, which will keep the government funded until mid-winter. The continuing resolution passed with more Democratic votes than Republican ones. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) lost 93 Republican votes, spelling trouble ahead when the CRs — and his honeymoon period — run out in January and February.

While many on the right flank of the party are unhappy, they’re not ready to punish Johnson yet, figuring that he’s still new to the job. The impending holiday has also lessened the thirst for speaker punishment.

So Johnson took a page from McCarthy’s book — keeping the government open with mostly Democratic support, and promising the right flank some red meat down the road (when none of these dynamics will have changed).

More Less

The House passed a two-step stopgap Tuesday, which will keep the government funded until mid-winter. The continuing resolution passed with more Democratic votes than Republican ones. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) lost 93 Republican votes, spelling trouble ahead when the CRs — and his honeymoon period — run out in January and February.

While many on the right flank of the party are unhappy, they’re not ready to punish Johnson yet, figuring that he’s still new to the job. The impending holiday has also lessened the thirst for speaker punishment.

So Johnson took a page from McCarthy’s book — keeping the government open with mostly Democratic support, and promising the right flank some red meat down the road (when none of these dynamics will have changed).

Notable Replies

  1. Magic Mike is about to find out that the two concepts are not mutually exclusive.

  2. New face, same issues. I loathe these zealots.

  3. banking on his newness and general honeymoon glow to help him avoid the same fate.

    The graveyards are full of indispensable men. We’ll miss you MJ.

  4. Every time I see MJ’s pic I’m struck by his strong resemblance to Santos…

  5. Is it the utter evil hiding behind the smile?

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

65 more replies

Participants

Avatar for lestatdelc Avatar for daveminnj Avatar for brutus1910 Avatar for becca656 Avatar for chelsea530 Avatar for mch Avatar for lastroth Avatar for mike_in_houston Avatar for leftcoaster Avatar for dangoodbar Avatar for ronbyers Avatar for darrtown Avatar for benthere Avatar for zlohcuc Avatar for noonm Avatar for not_so_fluffy Avatar for tindalos Avatar for seamus42 Avatar for 19tibekius6 Avatar for saeomon Avatar for txlawyer Avatar for cantaresf Avatar for IBecameACitizenforthis Avatar for ClutchCargo

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: