Conservative critics are warning that Speaker Mike Johnson faces an uphill battle to win back their support in time for House Republicans’ leadership elections at the end of the year. Some lawmakers are calling for his removal, citing his bipartisan approach on critical legislation, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, and Paul Gosar. While the majority of House Republicans have not joined this push, many are dissatisfied with Johnson’s failure to deliver on conservative priorities such as border security and cutting federal spending. Republican Rep. Chip Roy emphasized the need for leadership that demonstrates a commitment to fighting for conservative policies.
While some lawmakers, like House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, have expressed disappointment in Johnson’s performance and past history, they are cautious about immediately removing him given the slimmer majority Johnson is operating with compared to his predecessor. Good suggested that he would like to see new leadership races in November after the election. Another factor influencing conservative lawmakers’ support for Johnson is his handling of fiscal year 2025 appropriations, with the deadline for which set for September 30. Johnson’s ability to fight for Republican policy initiatives, cut spending, and prioritize Republican priorities will influence his support among conservatives.
Johnson and Congressional appropriators are facing limitations shaped by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which set terms on shaping fiscal year 2025 funding priorities. A spokesperson for Johnson highlighted his commitment to governing and advancing conservative priorities while working towards growing the Republican majority in November. The outcome of the party leadership races, traditionally held behind closed doors after an election, will heavily impact Johnson’s chances of prevailing as speaker on the House floor. The intense dissent McCarthy faced last year from within the GOP highlights the need for Johnson to secure unanimous support among Republicans behind closed doors.
Lawmakers like Rep. Ralph Norman and Tim Burchett have expressed reservations about supporting Johnson unless there is an all-inclusive agreement on key issues before they commit. Norman emphasized the importance of seeing a negotiation stance from Johnson that prioritizes fiscal responsibility and border security. Burchett indicated that a clear plan for fiscal responsibility and border security would be necessary for his support. On the other hand, Rep. Roy was skeptical about the ability of the current leadership to drive necessary policy changes before the election, indicating a lack of confidence in significant wins in the end-of-year spending fight.
The conservative discontent with Johnson’s leadership style and priorities underscores the challenges he faces in securing support from the right flank of the party in the upcoming leadership elections. While Johnson has shown a commitment to governing and advancing conservative priorities, he will need to address the concerns of critics who believe he has failed to deliver on key issues such as border security and federal spending cuts. The outcome of the fiscal year 2025 appropriations battle and the internal party dynamics in the coming months will play a significant role in determining Johnson’s prospects for winning back the support of conservative lawmakers.
