When Congress returns from its break next week, lawmakers will tackle a major task: turning President Trump’s domestic agenda into law. This will be a significant challenge for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has faced numerous hurdles in his first 100 days in office. NPR’s Claudia Grisales reports on the current state of affairs.
Mike Johnson, relatively new to his role, leads a slim majority in the House. He has already encountered tough moments, including a recent setback during a crucial vote. Following this, he urged his critics not to lose faith in the Republican majority. He asked for patience as they work through their agenda.
Since taking office, Johnson has dealt with a divided party. Earlier this month, budget plans were disrupted by fiscal conservatives, and he even had to close the House floor due to a standoff with a fellow Republican. Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna publicly challenged Johnson, claiming that leadership wasn’t being honest about their intentions.
Despite these challenges, Johnson has managed to keep some disputes within the party private. After Luna’s confrontation, they reached a compromise allowing some absentee votes in specific scenarios. This was seen as a small but positive step forward.
In addition, Johnson secured a deal with the House Freedom Caucus, which is crucial for advancing the GOP’s spending plan tied to Trump’s agenda. Johnson expressed confidence, reminding everyone that they have consistently delivered results despite skepticism from the media and Democrats.
This recent agreement marks the third legislative victory for the party since Johnson was elected as speaker. Some members of the Freedom Caucus, who traditionally have been more resistant to certain measures, have begun to support government funding bills under Johnson’s leadership.
Johnson’s ability to foster cooperation among various factions within the party has been praised. However, the compromise reached with the Freedom Caucus raises concerns among moderate Republicans about potential cuts to programs like Medicaid.
Former interim speaker Patrick McHenry emphasized that Johnson’s success in passing significant legislation actually strengthens his position as speaker. With Trump supporting him, Johnson has gained political leverage that he will need to unify the party around the ambitious spending plan ahead.
As Congress prepares for a challenging session, Johnson’s future as speaker could hinge on his ability to bring together different party factions to support the multitrillion-dollar spending bill. The outcome of this effort remains to be seen as lawmakers return to work.