Despite securing the House Speaker position with Republican support alone, Mike Johnson faces a politically challenging year ahead. He must navigate a narrow majority in the House, manage expectations of a busy first 100 days for the Trump administration, and contend with looming fiscal battles and upcoming special elections.
While the high-stakes fight to lead the House of Representatives is over, Speaker Mike Johnson’s politically perilous year is just beginning. Winning the speaker’s gavel was no easy feat considering Johnson, R-La., had no Democratic support and could only lose one fellow Republican, thanks to the House GOP’s razor-thin majority. All House Republicans except for Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., voted for Johnson on Friday afternoon.
There’s a lot of expectations and potential pitfalls,' Marc Short, who served as director of legislative affairs during the first Trump administration, told Fox News Digital in an interview late last month. Just the first half of 2025 alone is expected to see at least three separate fiscal fights. Johnson, meanwhile, is set to lose two House Republicans – Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York and Mike Waltz of Florida. Both members are joining the Trump administration at the end of this month.
House and Senate lawmakers passed a short-term extension of fiscal year 2024’s government funding levels in December to give negotiators more time to hash out the rest of FY 2025. Congress will risk plunging the government into a partial shutdown if the House and Senate does not pass another funding extension or set new priorities for the remainder of FY 2025 by then. The next government funding deadline will come at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
The debt limit refers to how much debt the U.S. government can accrue while making expenditures it has already committed to. As of Christmas Eve, the national debt — which measures what the U.S. owes its creditors — fell to $36,161,621,015,445.57, according to the latest numbers published by the Treasury Department.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKERSHIP MIKE JOHNSON REPUBLICAN PARTY DONALD TRUMP
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Will Mike Johnson Face A Tough Fight For House Speakership?Incumbent House Speaker Mike Johnson may face unexpected challenges in his bid for reelection as Speaker of the House. Recent events, including a divisive government shutdown battle and internal GOP discord, have cast doubt on his support within the Republican party.
Read more »
Mike Johnson's Odds Favor Him for House Speakership, But GOP Divisions RemainDespite strong betting odds, Republican lawmakers remain divided on whether to back Mike Johnson for House Speaker. Johnson's bid faces challenges due to internal party divisions and the potential for MAGA challengers to emerge.
Read more »
Trump Endorses Mike Johnson in Contentious House Speakership RaceDonald Trump throws his weight behind embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson as he faces a tough reelection battle. Despite some friction over a recent spending deal, Trump believes Johnson will be a strong leader for the Republican Party.
Read more »
House Speaker Mike Johnson Faces Challenges in Securing Votes for SpeakershipHouse Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., faces a challenge in securing enough votes for his continued speakership. While former President Donald Trump's endorsement could sway some, far-right Republicans who have been critical of Johnson's leadership may demand concessions.
Read more »
Mike Johnson Seeks Speakership in Tight House VoteRep. Mike Johnson, with President Trump's backing, faces a difficult path to becoming Speaker of the House as Republicans grapple with internal divisions and a slim majority.
Read more »
Mike Johnson Secures House Speakership in Tight ElectionMike Johnson narrowly won the speakership of the House of Representatives, securing the 218 votes needed for victory on the first ballot. Despite initial setbacks with three Republicans defecting, Johnson rallied support and ultimately prevailed.
Read more »