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).

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