House Speaker Gets Trump Endorsement Ahead of Critical Reelection Vote
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a critical vote Friday on whether he will hang on to his job.
The Louisiana Republican supported a bipartisan bill this month to avoid a government shutdown that many of his fellow Republicans opposed.
Now the most conservative members of his own party want to replace Johnson.
His chances of surviving the reelection vote appeared to improve after President-elect Donald Trump issued a statement Monday supporting him.
Conservative Republicans were angered when Johnson made concessions on Democratic priorities that included the debt ceiling.
Trump wanted to eliminate the debt ceiling but Democrats refused, bringing the federal government within hours of shutting down.
A last-minute deal Johnson helped to arrange kept the debt ceiling and will continue to fund the federal government until March 14. At that point, Congress will need to agree to an annual budget or face another risk of a shutdown.
The debt limit refers to the total amount of money the U.S. government is authorized by law to borrow to meet its financial obligations. It currently stands at $31.4 trillion.
Once the government hits its debt limit, the U.S. Treasury cannot issue more securities, essentially stopping a key flow of money into the federal government.
Many Democrats say exceeding the debt limit burdens the economy with too many financial obligations to effectively fund government operations. Many Republicans say the debt limit restricts the flexibility they need for economic growth.
Johnson said after the compromise temporary spending bill won approval that it was a win for the incoming Trump administration.
“This is America first legislation, because it allows us to be set up to deliver for the American people,” Johnson said.
Among Republicans who were unconvinced by Johnson’s assurances were Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind.
Spartz said that as a condition of winning her vote the next House speaker must “COMMIT PUBLICLY” to conservative budget measures such as offsets in reconciliation bills and spending audits. The spending bill Johnson helped to push through did not have all the offsets she wanted.
In addition, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, has been making inquiries about the possibility of replacing Johnson with Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, as House speaker.
Democrats are expected to universally oppose Johnson as speaker in the vote Friday. Only two Republican votes in opposition would be needed to replace him.
Trump upped Johnson’s chances to survive the vote with an endorsement in a social media post on Truth Social Monday.
“The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last administration,” Trump wrote. “Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!”
Johnson responded with gratitude in a post on his X account.
“Thank you, President Trump! I’m honored and humbled by your support, as always,” Johnson wrote.
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