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Johnson Compared to 'Next Paul Ryan' as GOP Opposes His Speakership Despite Trump's Endorsement

Dec 31, 2024, 06:03 PM

House Speaker Mike Johnson faces significant opposition within his own party as he seeks re-election, despite an endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump, who called Johnson "a good, hard-working, religious man." Johnson asserts he has the necessary votes to remain Speaker in the January 3 vote, stating, "I think we do," and emphasizes the need for Republican unity to advance Trump's agenda in what he believes could be "the most consequential presidency and Congress of the modern era." However, conservative Republicans such as Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Chip Roy of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, and Andy Harris of Maryland have voiced skepticism or pledged to vote against him. Massie compared Johnson to former Speaker Paul Ryan, declaring, "I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan." Johnson can afford to lose only one Republican vote due to the slim majority. Roy expressed doubts, saying, "I remain undecided, as do a number of my colleagues, because we saw so many of the failures last year that we are concerned about that might limit or inhibit our ability to advance the President's agenda." Johnson plans to "ram through MAGA policies" using budget reconciliation to bypass the Senate's 60-vote threshold, given the GOP's simple majority in the Senate. Prominent Republicans like Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, Jim Jordan, and Mike Pompeo have rallied behind Johnson, urging colleagues to support his leadership to ensure legislative progress as Trump's inauguration approaches.