GOP colleagues scrutinize Speaker Johnson’s strategy to avert government shutdown
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Move Sparks Mixed Reviews Among GOP Members
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to advance a two-part continuing resolution (CR) on Thursday has generated a range of reactions from Republican members. Frustrated with internal conflicts and the looming threat of a partial government shutdown, GOP members have differing opinions on the matter.
While hard-line conservatives are not entirely pleased with the outcome, they seem to have come to terms with the fact that their desired one-year stopgap bill is unlikely to be achieved. Instead, the deadline for the first six appropriations bills will be extended until March 8, and the remaining six will be moved to March 22.
Congressional leaders anticipate that the first six appropriations bills will be advanced as a package and enacted by the initial deadline, despite some conservatives pushing for individual votes on each bill.
Although some members argue that this approach merely postpones the problem, they are less inclined to blame Johnson or House leaders for choosing to extend the CR. It does not appear that a motion to vacate, which was used to remove Kevin McCarthy from a similar position, is being considered.
Coming to Terms with Reality
Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) stated that the House Republicans are finally accepting reality. He believes that Johnson is making the inevitable decision that has been evident since September, and it is the right move given the circumstances.
When asked if the stopgap is Johnson standing up to his right flank, McHenry responded that the speaker is simply doing what he is supposed to do – securing victories with the power he has.
Johnson and GOP leaders faced several options to avoid a shutdown on Friday, but any choice was likely to face opposition from conservative Republicans such as Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Chip Roy (R-TX), who strongly oppose continuing resolutions.
Members of the House Freedom Caucus and other hard-line conservatives have already expressed their impatience with the continuous passage of CRs. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who aligns with the GOP right flank but is no longer a member of the Freedom Caucus, criticized the situation as “really pathetic” and stated that she will not vote for the CR.
Greene continued to criticize Johnson, who proposed the two-step CR in November, for the decision to create two deadlines instead of one. She referred to the House Republicans as hypocrites for their handling of appropriations bills.
Delaying the Problem
Many Republicans firmly believe that delaying the problem only leads to more issues in the long run. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) emphasized that not standing up for America today and surrendering tomorrow does not advance the country’s goals.
Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern (R-OK) acknowledged that the GOP has been “kicking this can down the road,” but he believes that Johnson is doing his best given the circumstances.
The Freedom Caucus had proposed a yearlong stopgap spending bill with 1% spending cuts across the board if a funding agreement did not include certain policies. Greene criticized the Freedom Caucus for their funding plan, calling them hypocrites.
While some members blame the party infighting for the multiple CRs, they do not hold Johnson responsible for the situation.
Maintaining a “Glass Half Full” Perspective
Some members of the Freedom Caucus are trying to maintain a positive outlook. Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) expressed his wish for Johnson to be more decisive and push President Biden and other congressional leaders to prioritize funding the country before moving forward with other matters.
Davidson stated that although he does not support the CR, it is not a complete embrace of what Democrats wanted. He emphasized that the continuous delays have consequences and that Republicans should not forget that a CR affects both funding and policies.
Davidson added that it should be concerning news that Republicans are now supporting things they rejected just a year ago.
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What is the argument for a permanent solution rather than relying on short-term extensions for government funding?
E lack of a long-term solution. She argued that the continuous use of CRs fails to address the underlying issues and only serves as a band-aid solution.
Seeking a Permanent Solution
Some Republicans, such as Representative Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), have expressed their desire for a permanent solution rather than relying on short-term extensions. Gonzalez stated that it is time for Congress to do its job and produce a budget that aligns with the country’s needs and priorities.
Others argue that the current situation is a result of the broken budget process and the lack of bipartisan cooperation. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) emphasized the need for both parties to work together to reach a compromise and avoid future government shutdowns.
In contrast, there are Republican members who support Johnson’s move and view it as a necessary step to prevent a government shutdown. They argue that passing a two-part CR provides more time for negotiations and allows Congress to address other pressing issues.
Representative Blake Moore (R-UT) commended Johnson for his leadership and stated that the two-step approach provides a temporary solution while allowing Congress to continue working towards a long-term agreement.
The Road Ahead
As the two-part CR progresses, it is clear that the decision has sparked mixed reviews among GOP members. While some are resigned to the fact that a one-year stopgap bill is unlikely, others argue for a permanent solution and criticize the use of CRs as a temporary fix.
The coming months will reveal how the first six appropriations bills progress and whether Congress can reach a long-term agreement by the extended deadlines. It remains to be seen how Republican members will unite or continue to diverge on this issue, but their differing opinions reflect the challenges and divisions within the GOP.
Amidst the differing views and frustrations, one thing is clear – House Speaker Mike Johnson’s move has ignited a debate within the Republican Party, highlighting the complex and contentious nature of budget negotiations and the challenges of governing in a polarized political climate.
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