The New Speaker Avoided a Shutdown. Can He Avoid Being Ousted?
Nov 20, 2023
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Reporter Catie Edmondson from The New York Times discusses Speaker Mike Johnson's successful collaboration with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. They explore his decision to work with Democrats, facing opposition from the House Freedom Caucus, and the potential threats to his speakership. The podcast also provides updates on the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, as well as the shake-up at OpenAI, including the removal of the CEO.
Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to collaborate with Democrats to avert a government shutdown marks a departure from his previous hard-right ideology.
The tension between Speaker Mike Johnson and the conservative Freedom Caucus jeopardizes his speakership and sets the stage for future clashes over government funding.
Deep dives
New House Speaker Mike Johnson avoids government shutdown by working with Democrats
Newly elected Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson took a different approach than expected by working with Democrats to avert a government shutdown. In the past, Johnson opposed keeping the government open, but as Speaker, he made the decision to rise above his hard-right ideology and collaborate with Democrats to maintain government funding. However, this move has angered the conservative Freedom Caucus, potentially putting Johnson in a similar situation as his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. While Johnson managed to avoid a shutdown this time, the challenge remains as he faces another funding deadline in the future.
Johnson's approach to bipartisanship and opposition from the Freedom Caucus
As Speaker, Mike Johnson departed from his previous hard-right ideology, working with Democrats to keep the government open. By choosing bipartisanship, Johnson invoked the ire of the Freedom Caucus, who expected a different approach from one of their own. The tension between Johnson and the Freedom Caucus was evident as they opposed his short-term spending bill and refused to give him a free pass. This opposition jeopardizes Johnson's speakership and sets the stage for future clashes over government funding.
Uncertain future for Johnson's speakership
The recent government funding crisis highlighted the challenges faced by Speaker Mike Johnson. While he managed to avert a shutdown for now, the future holds potential risks. Johnson will face mounting pressure from both the Freedom Caucus and Democrats as he grapples with the task of keeping the government open. If Johnson continues to collaborate with Democrats in future funding negotiations, he risks further angering the conservative faction within the Republican Party. The fate of his speakership hangs in the balance as Johnson attempts to navigate a deeply divided Congress.
By working with Democrats to avert a government shutdown this past week, Speaker Mike Johnson seemed to put himself on the same path that doomed his predecessor. Or did he?
Catie Edmondson, who covers Congress for The Times, explains why things could be different this time.
Guest: Catie Edmondson, a reporter in the Washington bureau of The New York Times.
Almost all Democrats and a majority of Republicans overcame the opposition of G.O.P. conservatives to approve the bill under special expedited procedures. But that approach, hatched by Mr. Johnson in his first weeks as speaker, is a gamble.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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