Despite Trump endorsement, Johnson's House speaker position remains vulnerable

By Thérèse Boudreaux
The Center Square

Though many U.S. House Republicans quickly accepted President-elect Donald Trump’s endorsement of Speaker Mike Johnson for reelection, a few are still smarting from the recent continuing resolution battle and are threatening to withhold support.

U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., said that Johnson will not win her vote unless he complies with a list of conservative demands. She said the next speaker must exhibit “courageous leadership” and be someone who “won’t sell us out to the swamp.”

“If we are serious about governing, our next SPEAKER must COMMIT PUBLICLY to create at least temporary structures in the House for: 1) authorizations; 2) reconciliation offset policies, and 3) spending audits,” Spartz detailed in a statement. 

“We must have a vision and a concrete PLAN to deliver on President Trump’s agenda for the American people, which I have not seen from our current speaker despite countless discussions and public promises.”

Spartz did not suggest an alternative to Johnson.

Given how slim the House GOP majority is, as few as four Republican votes against Johnson could be enough to defeat his chances of being reelected House speaker. 

Trump's endorsement of Johnson earlier Monday came after conservative members of Congress criticized Johnson for his handling of a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open until March, saying he initially folded to Democrats' spending wishes.

But some Republican lawmakers who were vocal critics of Johnson’s negotiation attempts and voted against the final funding bill have pledged to vote for him regardless, including U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla.

The House speaker election will be held on Friday, Jan. 3.