Mike Johnson’s Future as Speaker in Jeopardy After Missteps on Funding Bill

Speaker Mike Johnson’s position is facing increasing scrutiny after a controversial handling of the government funding bill last week, which has left his future as Speaker uncertain. Several House Republicans, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration with Johnson’s leadership, saying his mishandling of the continuing resolution (CR) has severely shaken the confidence of his colleagues.

One anonymous lawmaker suggested that Johnson’s ability to retain support will largely depend on whether President-elect Donald Trump remains firmly behind him. “Trump would have to go all in to save him and even then it’s a massive lift,” they said.

Johnson proposed an over-1,500-page continuing resolution aimed at keeping the government running through mid-March. However, the bill was swiftly opposed by several House Republicans, including Trump ally Elon Musk, for its unwieldy nature and for containing numerous unnecessary provisions. The backlash has led some Republicans to reconsider their support for Johnson as Speaker when the next vote takes place in January.

While Johnson continues to try and navigate the fallout from the funding bill, some Republicans believe his chances of regaining their trust are slim. One Republican compared Johnson’s situation to that of President Joe Biden, saying, “There’s nothing Mike Johnson can do between now and the Speaker’s race to regain the trust of Republicans in Congress. He’s as lame of a duck as Joe Biden.”

Although Trump has not yet publicly weighed in on Johnson’s future, sources close to the former president suggest that Johnson’s fate is in jeopardy. A number of lawmakers, including Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, have already announced they would oppose Johnson’s bid for Speaker, citing dissatisfaction with his handling of the CR.

As Johnson faces mounting opposition, all eyes are on Trump and whether his support will prove decisive in determining whether Johnson retains the Speaker’s gavel.

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