House Speaker Mike Johnson retains position amid growing signs of trouble ahead
India TodayWASHINGTON: This time was supposed to be different. “Speaker Johnson contends that in a environment where we have the White House and the Republican Senate, that he’s going to be able to go get the job done,” said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who has been outspoken in his criticism of Johnson. “He’s got a really, really tough job,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Republican leadership did ease one threat to Johnson by making it more difficult to oust the speaker through a so-called motion to vacate. Still, within minutes of Johnson gaining the support he needed to take the speakership, the House Freedom Caucus released a letter signed by 11 members demanding that Johnson deliver ambitious policy goals, including enacting permanent border security changes, making aggressive federal spending cuts and banning members of Congress from stock trading. Caucus members said Johnson now “must prove he will not fail to enact President Trump’s bold agenda.” At the same time, conservatives are also agitating for guarantees to reduce the federal deficit as well as move power from the speaker’s office by allowing rank-and-file members greater control over what’s included in legislation.