Speaker Mike Johnson’s Spending Deal With Democrats Angers Freedom Caucus Members

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to fund the government passed only with overwhelming Democratic support, but it is receiving major pushback from his party.

House conservatives have threatened action against Johnson after he reached a spending deal with Democrats last week.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), a member of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus, has previously defended Johnson and dismissed threats against him. After the spending bill was announced, however, Norman spoke out.

“We’ll just see,” Norman said. “I like Mike as a person. He’s honest. I just don’t know if it’s in his DNA to fight… This is just sad.”

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tennessee), who played a role in ousting former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, claims that no action will be taken against Johnson.

“If he has the votes he has the votes,” Burchett said, warning that Republicans may face pushback in November “if we don’t keep our word.”

“We just fold,” he continued. “The Republican Party needs to decide who we are and what we are about.”

Burchett was acknowledging a pattern among House Republicans to voice frustration without producing any results. Following three weeks of chaos after McCarthy’s exit, many do not believe another ejection is possible as the election approaches.

Ahead of the bill becoming public, Johnson held a closed-door meeting with House conservatives, arguing that the funding package included many policies that Republicans should consider a win.

Many are willing to protest, as they did with McCarthy, though this could backfire. Johnson making deals with Democrats means he has the power to tank the priorities of those against him.